RedactedNarrative: On 07-22-2020 at approximately 8:21 PM, I, Sgt. received a call at my residence from the Illinois State Police (ISP).  ISP advised that there was a capsized kayak on the Rock River at the Steel Dam.  I was told that a single occupant and his kayak were stuck in the backwash.  Operator1 had reportedly been ejected from the watercraft and was wearing his PFD.
  
        Walking over to the dam, I could see that Operator1 was still stuck in the backwash below the dam.  He was approximately 30 yards south of the north bank.  Operator1 was wearing a PFD and was hanging onto the down stream side of his kayak.  Operator1 kept the kayak between himself and the water cascading over the dam.  Rescue personnel launched an unmanned rescue boat and pushed it out toward Operator1.  Operator1 grabbed onto the watercraft and was pulled to safety.
  
         Meeting with Operator1 as he was medically evaluated, I identified myself to him.  I asked Operator1 if he had anybody else with him in his kayak.  He advised that he did not.  When I asked Operator1 if he had any identification, he provided me with an Driver''s License.  Operator1 had a strong accent and could not understand or speak English very well.  I asked Operator1 where he was from.  He advised that he was from Lithuania.
  
        I asked Operator1 what happened.  He indicated that he had launched his kayak at the mouth of Mill Creek (down stream from the Steel Dam).  Operator1 told me that he had travelled up stream (toward a tree stuck on the Steel Dam).  Operator1 said that while he was fishing, he was pulled into the dam.  Operator1'' kayak was overturned by the cascading water and he was ejected from the watercraft.  I confirmed he was the owner of the kayak and told him that we may not be able to recover it.  He agreed that he understood.  
  
       Advanced Medical Transport personnel told me that Operator1'' vital signs looked good and that his lungs sounded clear.  Operator1 refused treatment and transportation to the hospital.  I asked Operator1 where his vehicle was parked.  He indicated that it was parked on the frontage road near Mill Creek.  I offered to give Operator1 a ride to his vehicle.  He agreed.  Operator1 advised that he had lost his telephone while he was in the water, but still had his car keys.  
  
       At approximately 9:31 PM, I transported Operator1 from the north side of the Steel Dam to his parked vehicle.  Once there, I drew a picture of the Rock River and confirmed again what had occurred during the accident.  I wrote out several questions (and answers) for Operator1, provided him with my telephone number and asked him to call me the next day.  Operator1 agreed.
  
       On 07-23-2020 at approximately 9:30 AM, I conducted a search of the Rock River and Mississippi River by boat.  I was unable to locate Operator1'' missing kayak.   
       
  