JERSEYVILLE – The Jerseyville Police Department gained a new member on Tuesday night, while the Jerseyville Fire Department commended one of its own for his lifesaving use of CPR.
The Jerseyville City Council’s July 21, 2026 meeting saw the swearing in of newly hired Patrolman Austin Laing. City Clerk Denise Hayes administered the Oath of Office for Laing, who Police Chief Danny Green said is already proving to be impressive.
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“We just did our testing and he was number one on the list, impressed all of our commissioners,” Green said of Laing. “We’re looking forward to getting him in the [Police] Academy and out on the road.”
Laing is set to start Police Academy training at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) on Aug. 17, 2026. Green said Laing has already been taking part in daytime ride-alongs and will start nighttime ride-alongs next week.
Green said Laing’s hiring is part of a larger personnel plan as the department expands. With one School Resource Officer (SRO) at Jersey Community High School, Green said they plan to add a new SRO at Jersey Community Middle School, requiring an additional officer to take the new SRO’s former position and maintain department staffing levels.
The meeting also featured the presentation of a Lifesaving Commendation Award to Firefighter Kyle Graham.
Fire Chief Keith Norman presented the award in recognition of Graham’s quick thinking and decisive actions which helped save a man’s life during an emergency that unfolded during the Jerseyville Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2026.
“When confronted with a medical emergency, you responded immediately and administered lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with skill, composure, and unwavering dedication,” Norman said of Graham.
“Your prompt actions, commitment to duty, and selfless service exemplify the highest traditions of the fire service, and were instrumental in providing a citizen with the best possible chance of survival. Your willingness to act without hesitation reflects a great credit upon yourself, the Jerseyville Fire Department, and the community that you so faithfully serve.”
Norman added that with respiration assistance from Dr. Darcy Graham, first responders were able to immediately bring the man an automated external defibrillator (AED). Kyle Graham said he had recently spoken with the citizen in question and confirmed he is currently alive and “doing well.”
