The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is proud to recognize Correctional Officers Kenny Drake and Donovan Lee, who were honored at the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association 2026 Winter Training Conference as recipients of the 2025 Lifesaving Award. The two officers were honored for their actions last October when they discovered an inmate had wrapped a telephone cord around his neck in an attempt to commit suicide. The two officers rushed to the aid of unconscious inmate and called for help from Deputy Cody Moore. After the detainee was stabilized at the jail, he was transported to Fairfield Memorial Hospital where he was treated and later released back to the county jail.
Wayne County Sheriff Chris Otey accepted a commemorative plaque on behalf of Officers Drake and Lee, which will be displayed in the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office as a lasting tribute to their exceptional service. Sheriff Otey also personally presented each officer with their Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Lifesaving Award.
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association concluded its 2026 Sheriffs Winter Training Conference, Awards Banquet, and Installation of Officers from February 7th to 10th in Springfield, IL. During the event, 2025 Lifesaving Awards were presented to six Illinois County Sheriff’s Offices and a total of eleven deputies and correctional officers for their heroic actions.