photo by: Niamh Coomey

Wheeling Assistant Fire Chief Eric Cianelli thanks the firefighters and others who helped him and his family after their house burned down in August during a public safety recognition ceremony on Thursday at WesBanco Arena.

WHEELING — Members of the Wheeling Fire and Police departments gathered for an annual ceremony at WesBanco Arena on Thursday to recognize new hires, retired officers, promotions and service that went above and beyond in 2024.

Among those honored were the firefighters and others who helped one of their own, Assistant Fire Chief Eric Cianelli, when his home caught fire and was declared a total loss in August.

The blaze killed Cianelli’s cat and left his wife with severe burns. His colleagues on the Engine One Rescue 11 team were able to recover his dog Sophie, who was temporarily missing during the commotion and had to be resuscitated. Sophie was present at Thursday’s ceremony.

Cianelli honored over two dozen individuals, from fellow firefighters to EMS workers to members of the American Red Cross and Ohio County Animal Shelter for their assistance during the difficult time for Cianelli and his family.

“I feel the people I listed went above and beyond the call of duty and showed me and my family so much love and compassion during and after our tragedy that they should be recognized,” Cianelli said.

In addition to those recognized for their work on the Viewpoint Lane fire that destroyed Cianelli’s home, nine firefighters were presented with “life saving” awards and 11 were recognized for instances of “exceptional duty.”

There were also 12 promotions, four new hires and 11 recognized for extensive years of service to the department and people of Wheeling.

Assistant Fire Chief Paul Harto, who served WFD for 35 years, and Captain Chris Fabrizio, who served for 20, retired this year and were honored at the ceremony.

On the Police Department side, several were awarded for work that went beyond policing.

Erica Biggers was hired in March as West Virginia’s first peer support specialist embedded in a police department. Biggers received a life saving award for helping an individual after an overdose who had been struggling with substance abuse for years.

Sgt. Sheldon Lacava and Sgt. Brent Ruby also received life saving awards for working together to help someone who was attempting to jump from the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. Ruby went on to help another individual who went through with the jump into the river in the dark just a week later.

Lt. Ryan Ferrell was recognized for his work with the special operation that took place over the summer to target crime and drug-related issues in East Wheeling. Ferrell, who was promoted earlier this year, oversees downtown and East Wheeling.

“He immediately went to work, he gets it, he understands the concepts, he is dedicated to his area of responsibility,” Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said. “It brings me great pride when staff get it and they go to work and use their work ethic to help you all.”

There were six new employees introduced, three medal of merit honorees, four recognized for “Department Commendation” and another four officers received “Chief’s Eagle Awards.”

Two individuals received a moment of “Community Appreciation.” One was Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas, who worked closely with Schwertfeger in his eight years as sheriff and will be retiring at the end of the month.

“(He’s) easy to work with, has the best interest of law enforcement at heart and our mission professionally,” Schwertfeger said of Lucas.