| On March 3, 2012 the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department held their annual awards banquet at our social hall and this year our department was invited to make a presentation for a life saving award.
On August 16, 2011 Mr. James A Fazio heard a loud explosion and rushing outside saw that his neighbor's home had exploded and was on fire. Within seconds Mr. Fazio was on the scene and without regard for his own safety first pulled Mrs. Carol Andrews to safety from the burning debris and when she told him that her husband was trapped in the house Mr. Fazio took a cinder block and broke down the front door. He located Mr. Andrews in the back of the house and guided him to safety through the flames and debris as the remaining structure collapsed around them. His heroic actions saved the lives of two people during a catastrophic incident. Therefore he was honored by the Sheriff's Department and the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department as the 2011 Citizen of the Year.
Our Fire Chief in making our presentation had prepared the following statement which I think all should read so without his permission I want to present here.
Mr. Fazio,
In the bible the Book of John Chapter 15 Verse 13 we are told "Greater love has no one than this. That he lay down his life for his friends". While Mr. Fazio may not have laid down his life, he definitely laid it on the line. He did so without fear, he did so without thinking, he did so because it was the right thing to do.
Our military, our police officers, and our firemen we do this every day. Citizens rarely get the chance. I am not sure to many would take the chance for the consequences are large. On August 16, 2011 James A. Fazio took that chance.
Mr. Fazio the officers and members of the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department would like to commend you for your actions that day. Great Job! I hope that you will accept this small token of our appreciation and whenever you look at it be reminded of your good deed.
Shawn Downs, Fire Chief
Well done Chief I don't think anybody could have said it any better. |
