IDOT Traffic Safety Employees Recognized for Life-Saving Act
Mike Johnson and Greg Gifford Credited With Saving Revenue Employee’s Life

IDOT Traffic Safety employees Mike Johnson and Greg Gifford are receiving praise for saving a man’s life. On Wednesday September 22, 2004, Department of Revenue Director Brian Hamer held an appreciation ceremony honoring the two for saving Revenue employee Jeff Lane’s life.

On February 20, 2004, the two were working in the basement area of the Williard Ice building where they were shredding IDOT documents when they noticed a stack of pallets falling that trapped Lane between two pallets. Johnson and Gifford immediately acted by pulling the load off of him. The pallets which possibly weighed a few hundred pounds pinned Lane in such a manner that he was unable to breathe or speak. Although Lane has undergone back and knee surgeries as a result of the accident, he is expected to make a full recovery and has since returned to work.

“Please join me in congratulating Mike and Greg for their quick thinking and assistance, said IDOT Secretary Timothy W. Martin. “Because of their actions, Mr. Lane is alive today.”

Gifford and Johnson will receive plaques from the Department of Revenue honoring them for their heroism.