A security guard with Oak Lawn-based Community High School District 218 recently went beyond the call of duty, and on Thursday, was hailed for his efforts. NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez shares the story.
A security guard with Oak Lawn-based Community High School District 218 recently went beyond the call of duty, and on Thursday, was hailed for his efforts.
Chris Harris, who is retired from the Cook County Sheriff's Office and previous served as a school resource officer at Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, currently works with the district's Adult Transition Program, which serves 18- to 22-year-old students with disabilities.
When Kyle Jenkins, a 21-year-old student, went missing Dec. 18, Harris went into overtime - literally.
"I couldn’t allow it to happen to this kid without doing something," Harris told NBC 5.
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Harris pounded pavement afterhours for three days and used his connections to help Kyle's grandmother and police get him home. At some point, Kyle was seriously injured after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.
At the hospital, Kyle was claimed by another family. But Harris, who happened to be working as Santa Claus at the same hospital, suspected misidentification and got into the intensive care unit.
There - he saw Kyle.
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I felt relieved, it was like the world was lifted off my shoulders," Harris said.
As for Kyle, he'll soon be released from the hospital, with Harris and classmates eagerly awaiting his return.
