Cop, McDonald's Manager Save Man's Life In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — It was a routine Friday morning for William Kokaska. On his way to inspect a property after a house fire, the insurance adjuster decided to stop by McDonald's on Route 30 to meet some friends for coffee. It was a decision that may have saved his life.

On Monday, Kokaska and several of his family members attended the Plainfield village board meeting to honor the restaurant manager, Plainfield police officer and paramedics who kept him alive when he collapsed after suffering a major heart attack on that Friday morning in October.

"I just want to say to everyone that your training, knowledge and perseverance saved my life," Kokaska said. "Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be here." Kokaska also credited doctors at Rush-Copley Hospital with saving his life.

Stacey Felice, Kokaska's daughter, said McDonald's manager Alexis House was the first to rush to her father's aid, performing CPR until Plainfield Police Officer Matt Lehmann arrived and took over.

Felice said Lehmann performed CPR until Plainfield paramedics arrived, for roughly seven to eight minutes. Paramedics who arrived on the scene continued the life-saving efforts, using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to keep Kokaska, 67, alive.

Kokaska was transported to Rush-Copley in Aurora, where he stayed for nearly a week and had a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted. Since then, Felice said, he's made a full recovery.

"He went back to work," she said. "He's back to himself, which is great."

On Monday, Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek presented House and Lehmann with a life-saving award. Multiple Plainfield paramedics and firefighter-paramedics will be honored for their role in saving Kokaska's life during a ceremony this spring, he said.

Felice said Monday was the first time she met the people who had a hand in saving her dad. She said her brother met with Lehmann shortly after the incident, since the Plainfield officer held on to her dad's car keys for safe keeping.

She said Lehmann and the Plainfield Fire Protection District employees were quick to dismiss claims of heroism.

"They act like it's no big deal," she said.

Photos: William Kokaska and Officer Matt Lehmann/Kokaska with members Lehmann, Police Chief John Konopek and members of the Plainfield Fire Protection District. Courtesy of Stacey Felice.