Lincoln officers commended
Trio of Lincoln cops honored for actions to help Albion residents
LINCOLN – At Tuesday night’s Lincoln Town Council meeting, Police Chief Brian Sullivan presented commendations to Sergeant Walter Ptaszek, Officer Christopher Hannon and Officer Matthew Paradis for saving people from the apartments above the Albion Post Office when the building caught fire on the night of Feb. 11.
State and federal officials determined that the cause of the fire was careless disposal of smoking materials in the Albion Social Club. The Social Club was in the basement of the Albion Food Mart, which was adjacent to the post office. The building, located at 42 Main St. Albion, has been demolished.
When officers responded to the fire around 10 p.m. on Feb. 11, Albion Food Mart employee Amira Aljabasini told them there were likely residents in the apartments, police said.
Hannon said that he and Paradis rushed upstairs, and Paradis evacuated one apartment.
Ptaszek responded, and the three tried to make contact with the residents of the other apartment. They got no response, and because smoke was increasing in the hallway, they broke down the door, police said.
The officers found the residents, ages 72 and 64, asleep in bed. They informed the couple that the building was on fire and escorted them outside, making sure the building was entirely evacuated.
“As the police chief I’m extremely proud of the actions of these officers,” Chief Brian Sullivan said. “They embody the values of the Lincoln Police Department. As a resident of Lincoln, I’m thankful that the members of the Lincoln Police Department are vigilant, ready and prepared to take action. They serve and protect our community.”
The commendation of the officers reads, in part, “Your commendable actions reflect your bravery and commitment to go above and beyond the call of duty and to protect those you are sworn to serve.”
Town Council President Keith Macksoud added, “I just couldn’t be prouder to be in a town than we are in Lincoln. When things go bad, this whole town pulls together, and to have public servants like our fire, rescue and police that are willing to put their lives on the line for the citizens of this town is amazing to me.”