Woman hospitalized after Lake Michigan rescue on North Side; CPD officer lauded for bravery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago police officer and a woman were hospitalized early Thursday morning after the woman had to be rescued from Lake Michigan, CPD said.

Officers responded to the 100-block of East LaSalle Drive just after 5:45 a.m. for a report of a person in the water near North Avenue Beach. A CPD officer, later identified as Joanna Tys, jumped into the lake with an emergency life ring and swam out to rescue a 26-year-old woman, police said.
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Within minutes, both were able to safely get out of the water with help from Chicago fire crews.

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The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition, and Tys was also taken to a local hospital in fair condition.
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Tys has since been treated and released.

She spoke about the experience at a news conference Thursday afternoon, saying the rescue was a highlight of her career.




The officer also thanked her mother for putting her in swim lessons as a child.

Chicago police and fire officials lauded the officer's bravery.