| Name: | Erik Mocogni |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Highland Park Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Type of Duty: | Emergency medical care, Firefighting 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 Erik Mocogni was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022.
Lieutenant Mocogni was driving the new Engine 32 in the Independence Day parade with his family when his daughter began to receive texts and notifications about the shooting. He quickly drove back to Station 33 to begin mobilizing personnel and medical equipment. Lieutenant Mocogni arrived at the scene with Reserve Squad 33 and began searching for victims in the Port Clinton Square buildings. He and his crew assisted and evacuated all victims and those in hiding. Lieutenant Mocogni provided additional equipment for operations before being ordered to return to Station 33 along with his crew. At the station, he assisted with the transfer of evacuated patients.
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.