The annual Wheeling Public Safety Ceremony took place on Thursday at WesBanco Arena, where officers from the Wheeling Fire Department and firefighters from the Wheeling Police Department, along with others in the community, gathered to honor individuals who over the past 12-month

period truly stepped up to answer the call of duty.

Fire Chief Jim Blazier and Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, along with members of their command staff, presented certificates and plaques to honorees and gave special recognition for those whose work was deemed to be exceptional.

Officials recounted numerous incidents and notable service calls that took place over the past year where honorees responded. Incidents included everything from drug investigations to serious motor vehicle accidents, crisis interventions, structure fires, breaking and entering calls, stolen firearm cases, water rescues on the Ohio River, a report of a possible abduction, several lifesaving situations and a murder investigation that led to the arrest and recent conviction of a suspect.

Several award recipients in both the fire and police departments were honored for their response to incidents related to the deadly June flash flood that claimed the lives of nine people in Ohio County.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger speaks during Thursday's annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

“On June 14, 2025, historic flash flooding took place in Triadelphia, Elm Grove and Woodsdale, resulting in people getting trapped, devastating damage to property and infrastructure, and loss of life,” Blazier said, noting that crews – including the Swift Water Rescue Team – were deployed and took action. “These honorees put themselves in harm’s way for the good of the community.”

Search and rescue efforts continued for days after the disastrous flooding occurred last summer, and personnel continued to provide extraordinary service on the frontline of the devastation, officials said.

Police officers and support personnel were commended for public service, lifesaving responses, criminal investigations and other work over the past year. More than a dozen and a half different noteworthy incidents and responses by the honorees since last April were recounted during Thursday’s ceremony.

Work of the city’s first responders often goes under the radar, the police chief noted, but there are countless occasions when extra recognition is deserved. In the past year, the work of the Wheeling Police Department was highlighted on the national level with the force’s participation with the live documentary series “On Patrol: Live.” The chief recognized officers who performed their daily duties while the show’s film crews chronicled what they do.

Schwertfeger noted the importance of making the community aware of the good work the city’s forces do on a regular basis to serve the public and to keep the Friendly City’s neighborhoods safe.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier speaks during Thursday's annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

“This is the work the men and women who are employed with our safety forces here in the city of Wheeling do every single day — and their efforts truly impact the community every single day,” Schwertfeger said. “As always, thank you for your continued support for the Wheeling Police and the Wheeling Fire Department.”

The ceremony also recognized new hires for each department, promotions and appointments, years of service milestones, civilian awards and other commendations.

They included:

Wheeling Fire Department

2025 Firefighter of the Year: Fire Engineer Brittany Gilbert

Terri Brough places a pin on the lapel of Pfc. Nolan Brough Thursday during the annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena as part of recognitions of promotions and appointments within the Wheeling Police Department over the past year.

2025 Paramedic of the Year: Fire Engineer Brandon McFarland

Lifesaving: Capt. Steven Moore, Fire Engineer Nate Vapner, Fire Engineer Brittany Gilbert, Firefighter Nickolas O’Malley

Medal of Bravery: Lt. Kody Geisel

Medal of Honor: Lt. Niko Kefauver, Lt. Tom Haluscak, Fire Engineer Ryan LaCoe

Distinguished Service Medal: Paul Harto (retired)

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, left, and members of the department's command staff congratulate police officers and other individuals recognized for outstanding performance over the past year during Thursday's annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

Civilian Award: Brian Coyne of ACE Garage, Tim Braden of Braden’s Towing, Robbie Fisher of the West Virginia Division of Highways

Swift Water Team Support Personnel: Capt. Clint Landis, Lt. Seth Mowder, Lt. Chris Haney, Fire Engineer Harry Myers, Fire Engineer Dominick Vallera, Firefighter Lukas DeWitt, Firefighter Matthew Beiter, Firefighter Donald Kunkle

Swift Water Team Members: Capt. Adam Twardoski, Capt. Tadd DeLuca, Capt. Steve Moore, Lt. Niko Kefauver, Lt. Dennis Vankirk, Lt. Clayton Dietrich, Lt. Kody Geisel, Lt. Tom Haluscak, Fire Engineer Rob Waldron, Fire Engineer Andrew Furbee, Fire Engineer Dan Brown, Fire Engineer Ryan Loveland, Fire Engineer Ryan LaCoe, Fire Engineer Brittany Gilbert, Fire Engineer Bob Barsch, Firefighter Philip Namlik

Non-Fire Unit Commendation: Capt. Tadd DeLuca, Capt. Greg Funari, Lt. Mike Haney, Fire Engineer Dan Brow, Fire Engineer Bob Barsch, Fire Engineer Todd Shelek, Fire Engineer Ryan LaCoe, Fire Engineer Lukas DeWitt, Fire Engineer Dom Vallera, Firefighter Philip Namlik, Firefighter Donald Kunkle, Firefighter Zach Heslep

New Employees: Colin Hutchison, Sam Karrasch, Luke Harto, Reese Kefauver, Cameron Mitchell

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, left, and members of the department's command staff congratulate police officers and other individuals recognized for outstanding performance over the past year during Thursday's annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

Promotions: Captain Adam Twardoski, Lieutenant Jacob Howard, Fire Engineer Lukas Dewitt, Fire Engineer Jarred Beihl

Years of Service: Asst. Chief Dave Harmon – 30 years, Asst. Chief Eric Cianelli – 25 years, Capt. Andy Joltes – 25 years, Lt. Seth Mowder – 15 years

EMT Certification: Nicholas O’Malley, Scott Pekula, Griffin Stenger, Robert Chapman, Reese Kefauver, Nathan Shelek, Ryan Hummel,

Paramedic Certification: Ty Sicurella, David Gilbert, Lukas DeWitt, Jeremiah Quattro, Matthew Alexander, Jarred Beihl

Wheeling Police Department

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

2025 Officer of the Year: Pfc. Blake Paxton

2025 Civilian Staff of the Year: DeAnna Ryan

Chief’s Eagle Award: Sgt. Doug Somerville, Cpl. Jacob Skinner, Ptlm. Colin Cooper

Meritorious Performance: Lt. Josh Raddish, Lt. Ryan Ferrell, Lt. Doug Howell, Sgt. Robert Scott, Sgt. Brent Ruby, Sgt. Jason Hupp, Cpl. Ryan Moore, Cpl. Gage Parker, Cpl. Jacob Skinner, Cpl. Zachary Stoneking, Pfc. Brenden Ross (x2), Pfc. Robert Kovalyk, Pfc. Brandon Stanley (x5), Pfc. Blake Paxton, Pfc. Nolan Brough, Pfc. Gabriel Damico, Pfc. Brandon Hoehn, Pfc. John Wolf, Pfc. Cory Rager (x3), Pfc. Zachary Herron, Ptlm. Cory Holt (x2), Pltm. Colin Cooper (x2), Pltm. Trevor Adkins, Intake Coordinator Grace Lontz, Public Information Officer Philip Stahl

Medal of Merit: Pfc. Shayne McAllister, Ptlm. Jeremy Rodriguez, Ptlm. Ken Prager

Lifesaving: Sgt. Brent Ruby, Cpl. RJ Faldowski, Pfc. Zachary Herron, Pfc. Shayne McAllister, Pfc. Brenden Ross, Ptlm. Colin Cooper, Ptlm. Cory Holt

Department Commendation: Lt. Josh Raddish, Cpl. Ryan Moore, Cpl. Robert Agostino, Cpl. Dean Redinger, Pfc. Gabriel Damico, Pfc. Brandon Stanley, Ptlm. Colin Cooper, Ptlm. Kane Kildow

Department Appreciation: Wheeling Marketing and Community Relations Specialist Michele Rejonis, Ohio Valley Awards

PERSONNEL & PROMOTIONS

New Officers: Michael Henderson, Jeremy Rodriguez, Tyler Strough, Hunter Nixon, Blake Graham

New Civilian Staff: Sarah Burkhart, MaKayla McPherson, Yolandah Mwikisa, Abigail Matusik, Bryan Terrill

Appointments & Promotions: Deputy Chief Terry Walls, Sgt. John McKenzie, Cpl. Zachary Stoneking, Pfc. Zachary Herron, Pfc. Nolan Brough

Photo by Eric Ayres Police officers and firefighters gathered in the lobby of WesBanco Arena on Thursday for the annual Public Safety Ceremony in Wheeling.

Photo by Eric Ayres Assistant Chief Deric Jamison, Assistant Chief Eric Cianelli and Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier honor fellow firefighters, emergency medical technicians and others in the community for their efforts over the past year.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier, left, presents the 2025 Paramedic of the Year award to Fire Engineer Brandon McFarland on Thursday during the annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier, left, presents the 2025 Paramedic of the Year award to Fire Engineer Brandon McFarland on Thursday during the annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger presents the 2025 Civilian Staff of the Year award to DeAnna Ryan, evidence forensic specialist, on Thursday during the annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, right, presents the 2025 Officer of the Year award to Pfc. Blake Paxton on Thursday during the annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.

Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier presents the 2025 Firefighter of the Year award to Fire Engineer Britanny Gilbert on Thursday during the annual Public Safety Ceremony at WesBanco Arena.