Holly MatkinCalumet City, IL – Calumet City Police Department (CCPD) Officer Adam Zieminski died in the line of duty on Monday after suffering a medical emergency, according to city officials.
The 49-year-old Officer was transporting a detainee to the Markham courthouse when the medical crisis struck, the City of Calumet City said in a Facebook post.
“The detainee alerted nearby Cook County Sheriff’s officers, who quickly responded but were unable to revive him,” the city said.
Officer Zieminski was rushed to South Suburban Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:48 a.m., the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
His exact cause of death has not been released.
Officer Zieminski was a “highly decorated officer” who served the community proudly for 22 years, according to the city’s Facebook post.
“We have been in touch with the Zieminski family and our thoughts and prayers are with them, as well as his friends and colleagues,” the city said. “We were all fortunate to have had him in our lives.”
Officer Zieminski grew up in Calumet City, The Times reported.
His father and uncle both served with the Chicago Police Department, his brother is a retired CCPD officer, and his nephew is currently serving the CCPD, according to the paper.
Officer Zieminski’s law enforcement career began in 1997, when he was hired by the Burnham Police Department.
He began working for the CCPD two years later, and spent the next two decades serving his childhood community, The Times reported.
He received a multitude of commendations during his career, to include being named Officer of the Year and having twice earned the CCPD Lifesaving award.
He ran into a burning building to save an infant in 2014, resulting in him being honored with the Illinois Federation of Police’s Line of Duty Heroism award, The Times reported.
The flames were above the roofline when Officer Zieminski arrived at the scene, and the only breathable air was a two-and-one-half-foot gap down by the floor.
“I could hear the baby and I went that way,” Officer Zieminski said at the time. “I just did it. I didn’t think.”
He was also credited for having saved the life of a man who was being attacked by three dogs back in 2015, according to The Times.
“He brushed all that off like it was no big deal,” recalled his sister-in-law, Lisa Diaz Zieminski. “[He said] it’s what you’re supposed to do.”
Residents knew him as a “local hero,” CCPD Chief Christopher Fletcher told The Times.
Officer Zieminski was a key member of the CCPD’s annual Santa Toy Run, which he participated in with his twin daughters.
“I think our police family is still in a state of shock,” Chief Fletcher said. “He was very much embedded in this community, well known and well respected.”
“Our Calumet City family certainly is grieving along with his family,” Calumet City Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush told The Times. “Everyone you talked to, [who] knew him personally, will say one thing: he was such a nice guy. We’re all very sad today.”
Officer Zieminski leaves behind his daughters, Brooke and Kylie, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his brother, nephew, nieces, and great-nephew.
Officer Zieminski will be laid to rest on Sunday.
“Calumet City Police Officer Adam Zieminski, 49, was transporting a detainee to the Markham courthouse on Monday morning when he suffered a medical emergency.
Officials say the detainee alerted Cook County Sheriff’s deputies, who attempted to revive Zieminski.” https://t.co/SDC0msgMuV
— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) December 7, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Officer Adam Zieminski and to the entire Calumet City Police Department. pic.twitter.com/9c5vmWApRm
— Schererville Fire Department (@ScherervilleFD) December 7, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Calumet City Police Department Officer Adam Zieminski, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
