Fire Engineer Harry Myers, left, was named the 2023 Firefighter of the Year by Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING – Those in the city of Wheeling who keep the community safe and answer the call of duty in times of need were recognized Thursday for their efforts and achievements during the past year.

The annual City of Wheeling Public Safety Ceremony took place Thursday in the lobby of WesBanco Arena, where family members and friends joined local police officers, firefighters, first responders and other public safety officials to recognize the best of the best from 2023.

Typically, the annual recognition ceremony takes place earlier in the spring. Because of last month’s heavy rains and subsequent floods, the original date of the event was postponed.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger and Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier presided over the award presentations, commendations and recognitions for their departments. Many of the awards stemmed from notable investigations, fires and emergency events that took place last year.

“Twelve years into my role as the chief of police for the Wheeling Police Department, the support of Wheeling’s first responders by our community is absolutely unprecedented,” Schwertfeger said, thanking the community for their role in helping to make the city’s public safety departments among the best anywhere. “As first responders, please know that you motivate us.”

A moment of silence was held in remembrance of the four officers killed in the line of duty this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. Members of the honor guard presented the colors, and Rabbi Joshua Lief of Temple Shalom opened the ceremony with a prayer.

The police department recognized officers who in 2023 were promoted, retired or earned special recognition during their service to the community. A Community Appreciation award was presented to Gary and Jody Miller, and a number of officers were recognized for Meritorious Performance and received awards for Lifesaving, Medal of Merit, Department Commendation and the Chiefs Eagle Award.

Pfc. John Wolf was recognized as the 2023 Officer of the Year, and Lt. Gust Kepreos was recognized for his retirement after 20 years of service. New officer hires and new civilian staff hires were also recognized.

Pfc. John Wolf, left, was named the 2023 Officer of the Year by Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

During the fire department’s portion of the program, Chief Blazier recounted a number of incidents from 2023 when firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, dispatchers and others rose to the occasion during emergencies – often taking measures to save lives, and at a times, maintaining the utmost professionalism and poise during tragic incidents that involve the loss of life.

“Our firefighters perform extraordinary service to the citizens and visitors of Wheeling everyday. There are times when the difference between life and death relies on a split-second decision and every member of the crew contributing 110% to those they are sworn to protect to ensure their best chance of survival.”

Blazier recognized new EMTs and paramedics, as well as firefighters promoted to positions of fire engineer and lieutenant. Several veteran officers were recognized for a combined total of 260 years of service to the department, and Lt. William Wagner – with 23 years of service, and Lt. Bill Fedorko – with 20 years of service, were congratulated on their retirements.

Awards and commendations through the fire department included Life Saving, Fire Unit and Non-Fire Unit commendations, as well as Meritorious Service awards, an Exceptional Duty Award and a Purple Heart award. The 2023 Paramedic of the Year was Fire Engineer Ryan Loveland, and the 2023 Firefighter of the Year was Fire Engineer Harry Myers.

Fire Engineer Ryan Loveland, left, was named the 2023 Paramedic of the Year by Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

The City of Wheeling Public Safety Ceremony awards, commendations and recognitions included:

POLICE DEPARTMENT

COMMENDATIONS

2023 Officer of the Year

Pfc. John Wolf

Meritorious Performance

Sgt. Sheldon Lacava, Sgt. Robert McConnell Jr., Pfc. Brendan Ross, Ptlm. Zach Herron, Ptlm. Cory Rager and Ptlm. Cory Holt

Medal of Merit

Cpl. Robert Agostino, Cpl. Dean Redinger, Pfc. Patrick Ryan, Pfc. Brendan Ross, Pfc. Brandon Hoehn, Pfc. Shayne McAllister, Ptlm. Zach Herron (x2) and Evidence Specialist Deanna Ryan

Lifesaving

Cpl. Erick Burke

Department Commendation

Cpl. R.J. Faldowski and Pfc. Howard Haglock IV

Chief’s Eagle Award

Lt. Josh Raddish, Sgt. Rob Safreed, Sgt. William Castilow, Pfc. John Wolf and Ptlm. Zach Herron

Community Appreciation

Gary and Jody Miller

RETIREMENT

Lt. Gust Kepreos – 20 years of service

PROMOTIONS

Deputy Chief

Josh Sanders

Lieutenant

Ryan Ferrell, Josh Raddish and Doug Howell

Sergeant

William Castilow and Robert Scott

Corporal

Josh Bolyard and Jacob Skinner

Patrolman First Class

Jacob Auten, Gabriel Damico, Howard Haglock, Patrick Ryan and Harrison Franks

New Officer Hires

Cory Holt, Eddie Stewart III, Colin Cooper, William Sandlin III, Troy Lux Jr. and William Lanham III

New Civilian Staff Hires

Deanna Ryan, Janis Crosby, Angee White and Erica Biggers

FIRE DEPARTMENT

COMMENDATIONS

2023 Firefighter of the Year

Fire Engineer Harry Myers

2023 Paramedic of the Year

Fire Engineer Ryan Loveland

Meritorious Service

Firefighter Courtney Engle

Meritorious Service

911 Dispatcher Jessica Palmer

Purple Heart

Lt. Dennis Vankirk

Exceptional Duty

Capt. Jason Milton

Commendation

Capt. Steve Moore

Live Saving

Capt. Edward Geisel, Lt. Edward Lawrence, Lt. Kody Geisel, Fire Engineer Charles Myers, Fire Engineer Harry Myers, Fire Engineer Tristan Pace, Fire Engineer Logan Bell, Fire Engineer Jacob Howard, Fire Engineer Daniel Brown, Firefighter Richard Johnston, Firefighter Philip Namlik, Firefighter Matthew Alexander and Firefighter Hayden Johnston

Fire Unit Commendation

Capt. Nicholas Brown, Capt. Jason Milton, Lt. Richard Brown, Lt. Clayton Dietrich, Lt. Edward Lawrence, Lt. Eric Wodesky, Fire Engineer Watson Barsch, Fire Engineer Harry Myers, Fire Engineer Charles Ransom, Fire Engineer Abraham Winter, Fire Engineer Trevor Adkins, Fire Engineer Ryan Loveland, Fire Engineer Daniel Gordon, Fire Engineer Dominik Vallera and Firefighter Lukas DeWitt

Non-Fire Unit Commendation

Asst. Chief Paul Harto, Capt. Christopher Fabrizio, Capt. Steven Moore, Capt. Jason Milton, Lt. Clint Landis, Lt. Kody Geisel, Lt. Clayton Dietrich, Lt. Michael Clawson, Fire Engineer Watson Barsch, Fire Engineer Cory Becker, Firefighter Courtney Engle, Firefighter Philip Namlik and Firefighter Zachary Heslep

PROMOTIONS

Lieutenant

Michael Haney and Clayton Dietrich

Fire Engineer

Harry Myers, Abraham Winter, Andrew Yahn, Andrew Furbee, Ryan Loveland and Cody Melsop

Paramedic Certification

Firefighter Muhammad Khan and Fire Engineer Harry Myers

EMT Certification

Firefighters Courtney Engle, Christopher Peterson, Hunter Bryan, James Francis II, Kevin Kinik, Philip Namlik and Hayden Johnston

RETIREMENTS

Lt. William Wagner – 23 years of service, and Lt. Bill Fedorko – 20 years of service

YEARS OF SERVICE

35 years: Asst. Chief Paul Harto

30 years: Asst. Chief Deric Jamison

25 years: Fire Engineer Todd Shelek, Capt. Bernard Davidson and Lt. Clint Landis

20 years: Lt. Matthew Bickler

15 years: Fire Engineer Nate Vapner, Lt. Thomas Haluscak, Fire Engineer Thomas McKenzie and Capt. Eric Touvelle

10 years: Fire Engineer Chris Haney

A crowd gathered inside the lobby of WesBanco Arena Thursday afternoon during the annual City of Wheeling Public Safety Ceremony, recognizing police officers, firefighters and other first responders and public safety personnel for their efforts and achievements in 2023. (Photos by Eric Ayres)