Officer Bryan Poradzisz is a detective in Schaumburg and resident of Portage, a husband, and a father to a sweet little girl named Gabriella. Poradzisz attended South Suburban College in Illinois where her received his associate’s degree and then went on to graduate from the Police Academy in Springfield.
Poradzisz is a dedicated father and husband who truly treasures spending time with his family. His daughter Gabriella was born three months early and spent 82 days in the NICU at Porter. During that time he and his wife Crystal were overwhelmed with the love and support of our community as they prayed for their daughter and encouraged them during their time of need.
Gabriella is now a healthy and active almost two year old. Officer Poradzisz credits his daughter and her strength to helping him cherish what is really important in life, family. He says that she changed his life for the positive and he is thankful to be her father.
Officer Poradzisz takes pride in his career and most recently has been recognized for his heroic efforts in saving a little girl’s life, who was not much older than his own daughter. The little girl was in the car with her grandmother when she went into respiratory distress. Poradzisz arrived moments after a call was placed to 911 and found the girl unresponsive. He was able to perform the Heimlich maneuver, give her CPR, and thankfully saved her life.
Officer Poradzisz has been featured all over the news and on CNN for his brave work as well has being recognized by numerous organizations in Illinois such as the Polish American Police Association, The Chicago PD Emerald Society, and throwing out the first pitch at Boomer Stadium on June 25th.
Poradzisz isn’t a boastful man, but he says that he, “is tickled pink about how wonderful everyone has been. It’s been amazing”.
Along with being a father and an officer Poradzisz enjoys working out when he can and playing baseball in his spare time. He has played baseball all of his life, and is on a league that travels to Ft. Meyers each spring for a tournament at the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins training ballparks.
He is enjoying this adventure even more now that his daughter has been there the last two years to watch her Daddy play and looks forward to making this a yearly tradition with her and his wife Crystal.
Poradzisz says that what he loves most about being a part of our community is how friendly everyone is. He and his wife Crystal have been active in the community as supporters and volunteers for Guardians of the Green Mile and Emma’s Footprints.
They have rescued numerous great danes over the years and currently have two that they adopted and call their own. Poradzisz is a great guy, a wonderful family man, and a true hero. That is why he is our Portage Life in the Spotlight this week.