SCHUMER: WEST WEBSTER FIRST RESPONDERS KILLED & INJURED DURING CHRISTMAS EVE AMBUSH DESERVE TOP RECOGNITION; SENATOR RENEWS CALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM AFTER VISIT WITH WIFE OF LT. MIKE CHIAPPERINI
Schumer Personally Appeals to Top White House Staff for The Medal of Freedom – The Top Civilian Recognition - For Lt. Chiapperini, Tomasz Kaczowka, Joe Hofstetter, and Ted Scardino
Schumer Joins Lt. Chiapperini’s Family & Representatives of Webster Police Department for Personal Meeting in Washington DC & Urges Approval of Medal of Freedom Petition, Signed By Over 30,000
Schumer: Our Heroes Deserve to be Honored for Extraordinary Public Service
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer met with Kim and Nick Chiapperini, the widow and son of police lieutenant and volunteer West Webster firefighter Mike Chiapperini who was tragically killed by a shooter in an ambush on December 24, 2012. Members of the Chiapperini family and the Webster Police Department are visiting the nation's capitol this week as part of National Police Week, during which Lt. Chiapperini's name will be engraved in the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Every year fallen officers who have died in the line of duty the previous year are added to the memorial. In conjunction with their visit, Schumer directly appealed to top White House staff for the Medal of Freedom to be awarded to Lt. Chiapperini and the three other firefighters injured or killed alongside him, Tomasz Kaczowka, Joe Hofstetter, and Ted Scardino.
Schumer met with the Chiapperini family, including his son and daughters, Webster Police Officer Mike Burns, Lieutenant Dennis Kohlmeier, Sergeant Brad Fosdick, Investigators Gretchen O'Dea, Troy Williams and Officer Debra Hart in his Washington, DC office, the day after a candlelight vigil was held marking the occasion of Chiapperini’s name being etched into the National Law Enforcement Memorial. The memorial is for fallen police officers and because Mike Chiapperini was a police officer as well as a volunteer firefighter, his name was engraved on the memorial. Officer Mike Burns presented Schumer a Webster Police Department patch for his efforts on behalf of Lt. Chiapperini and his fellow first responders.
“Lt. Mike Chiapperini, Tomasz Kaczowka, Joe Hofstetter and Ted Scardino answered the call of duty and sacrificed their safety in order to protect others; these brave heroes truly deserve to be honored, and I’ve made that clear to the White House,” said Senator Schumer. “Lt. Chiapperini and the three firefighters fought bravely in the face of danger and deserve the nation’s utmost respect for their sacrifices and distinction for their courage.”
On Christmas Eve of 2012, the West Webster Fire Department responded to an early-morning fire call near the shore of Lake Ontario, just east of Rochester. William Spengler Jr., who had served 17 years in prison for murdering his grandmother, had started the fire as a trap and ambushed the first responders. Spengler was armed with a .223-caliber Bushmaster rifle, a .38-caliber revolver and a 12-gauge shotgun and began shooting at the first responders from a position of cover. Town of Webster Police Chief Gerald Pickering reported that there were heroic acts by the first responders when the ambush was realized. The firefighters attempted to help their comrades to cover. Joe Hofstetter and Ted Scardino suffered serious injuries in the attack and were hospitalized. Chiapperini and Kaczowka were tragically killed that morning before William Spengler Jr. committed suicide.
In January, Schumer urged President Barack Obama to expeditiously review a request for the four West Webster Firefighters to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom after a petition started by a local resident reached the 25,000 signatures required to receive a response from the White House. Last week, Schumer contacted the White House directly and again urged that they award these men the Medal of Freedom as just recognition for their heroic actions.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was created by President Kennedy in 1963 to recognize civilians who have made particularly valuable contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace; or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The President of the United States selects recipients of this highest civilian award given by the United States Government.
As part of National Police Week, a memorial vigil was held at 8pm on May 13th to commemorate the lives and service of law enforcement officers like Lt. Chiapperini who died in the line of duty. Lt. Chiapperini's name is being engraved in the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall. Every year fallen officers who have died in the line of duty the previous year are added to the memorial. In addition, several hundred names of officers who have died in earlier years but were previously not recognized area also added to the wall, including Brighton Constable Charles Fred Sova and Special Deputy Joseph Munz. A wreath laying ceremony is planned for May 15th.