Marion….Representative Dave Severin (R – Benton) honored several West Frankfort public servants at the West Frankfort City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25. On April 29th, as a result of heavy flooding, a vehicle was swept off of the road with the driver still inside. The West Frankfort Police and Fire Department were both dispatched to the scene and were assisted by citizens who were at the scene when police and firefighters arrived.Rep. Severin presented each of the following public servants with Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois House of Representatives and praised them for the heroics they showed responding to the emergency: Detective Jeff Tharp, Officer James Trogolo, Officer Jason Yunker, Firefighter Gary A. Little, Firefighter Matt Morthland, citizen Dustin Shelton, and citizen Scotty O’Daniel.
“These individuals showed incredible courage responding to a very dangerous situation involving a sinking car and a woman trapped inside,” Rep. Severin said. “Each of them will say they were simply doing their job, or did what anyone else would have done in that situation, however they truly went above and beyond. It is stories like this that assure the community as a whole that we are in very good hands.”West Frankfort Police Chief Mike Irwin, gave similar praise and expressed gratitude for the recognition these public servants received.
“These guys deserve every bit of the recognition they are receiving,” Chief Irwin said. “Sometimes an event like this will go unnoticed to the general public but it is encouraging to our officers and all other public servants, when they receive praise for the dangerous work they do.”
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