| Name: | Paul Grzybek |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Highland Park Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Type of Duty: | Emergency medical care, Firefighting operations, Search and rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2023 |
| Incident City: | Highland Park |
| Year of Incident: | 2022 |
| Incident Location Type: | Commercial |
| Incident Attribute: |
On July 4, 2022, at 10:14 a.m. a gunman opened fire on the Independence Day parade participants and attendees in downtown Highland Park, IL. The attack took place just 15 minutes after the parade began, seven people were killed, and 48 others were wounded.
The Highland Park Fire and Police Department took quick, life-saving actions to treat victims and safely evacuate attendees. Firefighters who were in the parade, assigned to work during the parade, and off-duty all immediately arrived at the scene to begin helping those in need.
The Highland Park Fire Department has continued to assist the city and its residents in recovery and resiliency since the incident.
Highland Park Lieutenant Paul Grzybek was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022.
Lieutenant Grzybek and his family were in the Independence Day parade, riding on the new Engine 32. Lieutenant Grzybek noticed something was wrong after watching attendees and police officers run in opposite directions. He returned to Station 33 alongside Lieutenant Mocogni. The two gathered medical equipment before returning to the active shooter scene with Reserve Squad 33. Upon arrival, he provided care to the injured, assisted in moving patients to ambulances, and helped with the search for victims in the Port Clinton Square buildings.
Citations:
Highland Park Fire Department
7th Person Dies Day After Highland Park Parade Mass Shooting.
NBC Chicago, www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/7th-person-dies-day-after-highland-park-parade-mass-shooting/2873971.