Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro honored 12 heroic Pennsylvanians – who displayed bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the safety and security of the communities they served – with the 2024 Keystone First Responder Award. These 12 heroes were honored for their service and sacrifice in Pennsylvania’s law enforcement, fire, correction, and EMS organizations, and all of them were killed or suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty.
“Every day, thousands of dedicated public servants go to work to protect the good people of Pennsylvania, putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our communities. I am honored to award these twelve Pennsylvania heroes with the inaugural Keystone First Responder Awards, recognizing them for their service and sacrifice,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel safe in their community, and our firefighters, EMS personnel, state troopers, police officers, and corrections officers run towards danger when others flee. Today, we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the line of duty and reaffirm our commitment to always support members of law enforcement, first responders, and their families, and work to make sure they have the tools and personnel they need to protect our communities.”
“We are so proud of the work our first responders do across this Commonwealth to keep Pennsylvanians safe, day and night,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “Our first responders willingly race into dangerous situations to help their neighbors on their worst day, and sadly some of them never make it home to their families again or are unable to continue to work in their chosen profession because of injuries they sustained in the line of duty. We are forever grateful for the sacrifices they made in the name of public service.”
The inaugural awards were bestowed upon 11 Pennsylvanians who lost their lives and one who suffered a career-ending injury, all while in the line of duty.
Eight law enforcement officers received the award, all who lost their lives in service to fellow Pennsylvanians.
· Sergeant Christopher D. Fitzgerald, Temple University Police Department
· Lieutenant William D. Lebo, City of Lebanon Police Department
· Trooper Martin F. Mack, III, Pennsylvania State Police
· Chief Justin McIntire, Brackenridge Police Department
· Sergeant Richard Carrero Mendez, Philadelphia Police Department
· Trooper Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau, Jr., Pennsylvania State Police
· Trooper Branden Sisca, Pennsylvania State Police
· Officer Sean L. Sluganski, McKeesport Police Department
“This award pays tribute to the extraordinary bravery of eight law enforcement officers who devoted their lives to public safety, to serving a purpose greater than themselves, and, when called upon, fearlessly gave their lives in service to their communities,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “We proudly honor their selfless courage and unwavering dedication to duty, and we shall forever remember their sacrifice."
Paramedic Nicholas A. Theofilis of Penn Hills EMS received the award posthumously for his dedicated service.
“Emergency medical services professionals are an essential part of the health care system. They are dedicated to serving others facing critical situations while often putting their own lives on the line to treat and save people experiencing serious medical issues,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “While we mourn the loss of paramedic Nicholas A. Theofilis, we also celebrate his life and encourage EMS professionals to continue his legacy of providing compassionate care to residents across Pennsylvania.”
Two members of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli received the award for paying the ultimate sacrifice while fighting a fire in a home.
· Assistant Chief Zachary T. A. Paris
· Firefighter Marvin Gruber
Chief Paris was also a career firefighter for the Frederick County Maryland Division of Fire & Rescue, and Firefighter Gruber was the Assistant Chief of the Public Safety Department for Northampton Community College.
“The bravery and dedication of Assistant Chief Zachary Paris and Firefighter Marvin Gruber embody the true spirit of the fire service. They responded to the call to protect their community, knowing the dangers they faced and putting their own lives on the line in service to others,” said Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “This award honors the sacrifice of these two courageous men and reminds us all of the selfless dedication that defines the fire service. We are forever grateful to them both.”
Corrections Officer James Britton, Jr., from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) received the award after suffering a career-ending injury.
The Keystone First Responder Award was signed into law as Act 11 of 2024 by Governor Shapiro May 8, 2024. Nominations for the 2024 awards were collected earlier this year by PEMA through an online form. Governor Shapiro selected the recipients for the 2024 awards upon recommendation from the awards committee, which carefully reviewed all nominations. The ten-person awards committee is made up of the PEMA Director, State Fire Commissioner, State Police Commissioner, DOH Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Director, Department of General Services Secretary, Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association President, Pennsylvania National Emergency Number Association Director, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President, and Pennsylvania State Coroners Association Director.
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