Lebanon city police Lt. William D. Lebo, who fell in the line of duty on March 31, 2022, was among 12 “heroic Pennsylvanians” recognized this week with the 2024 Keystone First Responder Award.
The awards, 11 of which were awarded posthumously, honor first responders “who displayed bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the safety and security of the communities they served,” according to a press release this week from Harrisburg.
“These 12 heroes were honored for their service and sacrifice in Pennsylvania’s law enforcement, fire, correction, and EMS organizations, and all of them were killed or suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty,” the release noted.
Lebo, a 40-year veteran of the city police force, was killed while responding to a domestic-related burglary incident. He was just 30 days from retirement at the time of his death.
Read More: Lt. William D. Lebo (1958-2022)
“Every day, thousands of dedicated public servants go to work to protect the good people of Pennsylvania, putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our communities. I am honored to award these twelve Pennsylvania heroes with the inaugural Keystone First Responder Awards, recognizing them for their service and sacrifice,” Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel safe in their community, and our firefighters, EMS personnel, state troopers, police officers, and corrections officers run towards danger when others flee. Today, we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the line of duty and reaffirm our commitment to always support members of law enforcement, first responders, and their families, and work to make sure they have the tools and personnel they need to protect our communities.”
The inaugural awards were bestowed upon 11 Pennsylvanians who lost their lives and one who suffered a career-ending injury, all while in the line of duty.
Besides Lebo, this round of awards honored the following law enforcement officers: Sgt. Christopher D. Fitzgerald of Temple University Police Department, Chief Justin McIntire of Brackenridge Police Department, Sgt. Richard Carrero Mendez of the Philadelphia Police Department, Officer Sean L. Sluganski of the McKeesport Police Department, and troopers Martin F. Mack III, Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau Jr. and Branden Sisca of the Pennsylvania State Police. Also recognized were paramedic Nicholas A. Theofilis of Penn Hills EMS, and Assistant Chief Zachary T.A. Paris and firefighter Marvin Gruber, both members of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli, as well as James Britton Jr. from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, who suffered a career-ending injury.
“This award pays tribute to the extraordinary bravery of eight law enforcement officers who devoted their lives to public safety, to serving a purpose greater than themselves, and, when called upon, fearlessly gave their lives in service to their communities,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “We proudly honor their selfless courage and unwavering dedication to duty, and we shall forever remember their sacrifice.”
Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen noted that “emergency medical services professionals are an essential part of the health care system” and said the honor mourns Theofilis’ loss while celebrating his life and encouraging EMS professionals “to continue his legacy of providing compassionate care to residents across Pennsylvania.” State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said Paris and Gruber “embody the true spirit of the fire service.”
Shapiro signed the Keystone First Responder Award into law on May 8. Nominations for the 2024 awards were collected earlier this year by PEMA, and Shapiro selected this year’s recipients after recommendations from an awards committee.
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