April 28, 2015
Two policemen honored for bravery in fire
Two city police officers received special recognition Monday for pulling an unconscious man from a burning house in December.
Officers Jared A. Aiken and Adam C. Troyer received the Hero Action award Monday night at the annual Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police banquet in Syracuse.
Officers Aiken and Troyer were on patrol on Dec. 13, 2014, when they responded to a report of a house fire at 136 Madison St.
Neighbors indicated to the officers, who were the first to respond to the scene, that they believed the man who lived in the house, Dennis Lucey, was inside the home because his car was in the driveway, according to Lt. David Guerrera of the Cortland City Police Department.
The front of the house was engulfed in flames, so the officers looked for a way to get into the house from the back. When they saw Lucey on the floor in the back of the house, the two officers went in and dragged him out, Guerrera said.
Neither officer was treated for any injuries, but Lucey was treated at Upstate Medical Center. Lucey died of his injuries eight days later.
Guerrera, who had been the two officers’ supervisor since his promotion to lieutenant six years ago, said that he was not surprised by the officers’ actions.
“I think (the award) is very important,” Guerrera said, adding that police respond to many calls on a daily basis and they are not typically recognized for the positive things they do.
Lt. Rick Troyer of the Cortland City Police said the award comes at a time when police are generally recognized by the public and the news media for doing the wrong thing.
“It helps everyone when someone gets an award like this,” said Troyer, who is Adam Troyer’sfather.
Officers Troyer and Aiken were nominated for the award by Police Chief Michael Catalano. Officer Aiken has served the department for eight years, and Officer Troyer has been on the force for five years.
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