Photos: Massachusetts firefighters honored for bravery and service at annual award ceremony
Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy was posthumously awarded the state’s Medal of Honor.
Firefighters from across Massachusetts were honored Tuesday in Worcester for their acts of bravery and service in 2018 at the annual “Firefighter of the Year” awards. Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy, who died last December from injuries sustained battling a five-alarm blaze, was recognized posthumously with the Medal of Honor at the 30th iteration of the awards. The fire that killed the 36-year-old, devoted single father was ultimately ruled to be a case of arson. “The commonwealth’s first responders put themselves in harm’s way each day, and these awards provide an opportunity to recognize their bravery and sacrifice,” Governor Charlie Baker said in a statement. “This year, our administration is proud to honor Christopher Roy, his family, and his legacy of heroism and sacrifice. Massachusetts cities and towns are safer places to live, work and raise a family because of the men and women like him, who selflessly answer the call knowing the danger that may await them.”
Ava Roy is presented the Medal of Honor, posthumously awarded to her father Christopher Roy, by Gov. Charlie Baker.
State officials also recognized Worcester Fire Lieutenant Jason Menard, who was killed when he became trapped in a four-alarm fire he responded to on Nov. 13. The 39-year-old father of three helped two fellow firefighters escape the blaze before he became trapped.
Twenty-three awards were given out during the ceremony to 90 individuals, and the entire Andover, Lawrence and North Andover fire departments were presented with the Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award for their responses to last year’s Merrimack Valley gas explosions.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey presents the Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award.
Boston Firefighter Patrick S. Callahan walks off stage after receiving the Medal of Valor.
Firefighters during the Benediction at the ceremony.
“The civilian and first responders [in] these three departments showed tremendous leadership, professionalism, and care for their communities during the first chaotic hours of the Merrimack Valley gas explosion and during the months of recovery,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said in a statement. “Many were personally affected by the situation yet every day protected their fellow residents.”
See a full list of the firefighters honored at Tuesday’s event below:
Medal of Honor
- Worcester– Firefighter Christopher Roy (posthumously)
Medals of Valor
- Boston – Firefighter Patrick S. Callahan
- Everett – Deputy Chief Scott Dalrymple and Firefighter Josh Doyon
- Fall River – Firefighter Ed Correia Jr., Firefighter Michael Cusick, and Firefighter Raymond Schofield
- Revere – Lieutenant Sean Griffin and Firefighter Paul McInnis
- Rockland – Firefighter Richard Furlong, Jr.
- Worcester – Firefighter Lea Caldwell
Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service
- Fitchburg – Captain Patrick J. Roy
- Rochester – Firefighter/EMT Andrew Weigel and Firefighter/Paramedic Jessica Vinjerud
Excellence in Leadership Award
- Westborough – Captain Daniel J. Hehir
Group Awards for Meritorious Conduct
- Boston – Lieutenant Paul McCarthy, Firefighter Michael Gormley, Firefighter William Joyce, and Firefighter John-Patrick McManus
- Everett – Deputy Chief Scott Dalrymple, Firefighter Chad Bailey, Firefighter Christopher Dockery, Firefighter Josh Doyon, Firefighter Craig Hardy, and Firefighter Joseph Quinn, ret..
- Fall River – District Chief Kevin Blythe, Captain Michael Shea, Lieutenant Daniel Gerling, Lieutenant Paul Machado, Lieutenant Daniel Medeiros. EMS Lieutenant Michael Arruda, Firefighter Bruce Alves, Firefighter Robert Forand, Firefighter James Frascatore, Firefighter Ryan Hebda, Firefighter Sterling Hudson, Firefighter Brandon Jackson, Firefighter Jean Paul LaFleur, Firefighter Tyler Lima, Firefighter Nathan Lowney, Firefighter Christian Ponte, Paramedic Samuel Finney, Paramedic Matthew Fournier, Paramedic Heather Littlefield, Paramedic Charles Oldham, and Paramedic Jessica Soder.
- Fall River – District Chief James Mellen, Captain Matthew Johnson, Lieutenant Paul Berube, EMS Lieutenant Cheryl Davis, Firefighter Andrew Cordeiro, Firefighter Ed Correia Jr., Firefighter Michael Cusick, Firefighter Tyler Lima, Firefighter Brian Rapoza, Firefighter Raymond Schofield, Paramedic Matthew Adams, Paramedic Emanuel DeAraujo, Paramedic James Guilmette, and Paramedic Heather Littlefield.
- Revere – Lieutenant Sean Griffin, Firefighter Frank Trichilo, and Firefighter Paul McInnis
- Rockland – Chief Scott Duffey, Deputy Chief Wooley, Captain Thomas Heaney, Firefighter Richard Furlong Jr., Firefighter Jonathan Hickey, Firefighter Scott Margolis, Firefighter Liam O’Flaherty, Firefighter Marc Oshry, and Firefighter Daniel Rice
- Saugus – Lieutenant William Cross III and Firefighter Anthony Arone
- Sudbury – Lieutenant Alex Gardner, Firefighter Russell Place, and Firefighter Michael Donoghue Jr.
- Westborough – Firefighter Carl Roche and Firefighter Barry Sullivan
- Worcester – Lieutenant Stephen Kelly, Lieutenant Anthony Raffa, Firefighter Lea Caldwell, Firefighter Ronald Donaghy, Firefighter John O’Malley, Firefighter Blake Perron, and Firefighter Matthew Roy
Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award
- The entire Andover, Lawrence and North Andover Fire Departments for their response to and long recovery after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com