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Retired Col. Jill Morgenthaler, deputy chief of staff for public
safety for Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich, addressed the large crowd of
firefighters and family members on behalf of the governor. "The
amazing bravery demonstrated by the firefighters being recognized
here today proves that it takes an extraordinary person to be a
firefighter," Morgenthaler said. "Day in and day out, these men and
women put their lives on the line to protect us, and on behalf of
Governor Blagojevich, I am very proud to thank each of you for your
dedication to public safety. Today we're also reminded of the
dangers of this noble profession, as we solemnly honor those who
made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of
duty."
The ceremony began in the area of the state Capitol complex with
the presentation of colors and an invocation at the Illinois Fallen
Firefighter Memorial, followed by a processional to the nearby
Howlett Building for the awards ceremony.
Four firefighters who died in, or as a result of, the performance
of duty were honored during the ceremonies as their families were
presented with the Duty Death Gold Badge by State Fire Marshal David
Foreman. Those recognized were the late Roger Armstrong, a
firefighter with the Atlanta Fire Protection District; the late Jeff
Irwin, a firefighter with the Eldorado Fire Department; the late
Dana MacCrimmon, a firefighter with the Carbondale Fire Department;
and the late Harold Taylor, assistant fire chief of the Central
Warren County Fire Protection District.
The state fire marshal also presented the Medal of Honor awards,
the highest award given to firefighters by the state of Illinois, to
four firefighters who were selected for their acts of outstanding
bravery or heroism, by which they demonstrated selflessness and
personal courage above and beyond the call of duty, under adverse
conditions, with the possibility of extreme personal risk. The
recipients were:
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Firefighter Thomas
Garswick, Chicago Fire Department
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Lt. Herbert Johnson,
Chicago Fire Department
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Lt. Joseph Kish,
Chicago Fire Department
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Driver Todd Warrick,
Jacksonville Fire Department
In addition, two firefighters were recognized for acts of heroism
or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the
face of danger. Medal of Valor award recipients were:
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Capt. Daniel
McDermott, Chicago Fire Department
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Firefighter Alejandro
Mercado, Chicago Fire Department
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 The following firefighters received the Firefighter Excellence
Award for an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating
excellence and professionalism in service to the citizens of the
state of Illinois:
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Lt. Daniel Ferguson,
Chicago Fire Department
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Firefighter Mark
Pecor, Chicago Fire Department
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Firefighter Kevin
Wirtz, Chicago Fire Department
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Firefighter William
Reiter, Edwardsville Fire Department
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Probationary
firefighter Matthew Sinnokrak, Edwardsville Fire Department
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Firefighter and
paramedic John Hutchison, Glenview Fire Department
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Lt. Paul Klicker,
Glenview Fire Department
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Probationary
firefighter Scott Waddle, Glenview Fire Department
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Firefighter Kevin
Holman, Morris Fire Protection District
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Capt. Jeff Wilson,
Morris Fire Protection District
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Firefighter John
Burns, Pekin Fire Department
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Engineer Jami Lusher,
Pekin Fire Department
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Lt. Tom Robertson,
Wilmette Fire Department
Certificate of Recognition awards acknowledge those nominated for
awards for their dedication to the principles and traditions of the
fire service. Recipients were:
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Engineer Glenn
McAuliff, Country Club Hills Fire Department
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Firefighter and
paramedic Carl Pycz, Country Club Hills Fire Department
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Firefighter and
paramedic Robert Olszewski, Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue
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Firefighter and
paramedic Matthew Thuma, Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue
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Firefighter Marcos
Enriques, Morris Fire Protection District
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Captain Timothy
Smeltzer, Northbrook Fire Department
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Firefighter and
paramedic Scott Ewen, Wilmette Fire Department
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Firefighter and
paramedic Dave Grajewski, Wilmette Fire Department
The awards presented Thursday recognized heroic actions during
2006. Nominations were reviewed and winners selected by the
eight-member Illinois Firefighting Medal of Honor Committee.
[Text from
Office of the State Fire
Marshal received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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