HR0718 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0718 LRB096 15274 GRL 30462 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor the policemen and firemen who risk their lives in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, On October 19, 2009, Oswego police officers were the first responders to a fire in Oswego's Winding Waters subdivision; upon arrival, the officers found the front of the townhome fully engulfed in flames and heard people screaming for help from a balcony in the townhome's rear; upon reaching the townhome's rear, the officers saw Darrin and Amy Smith on the balcony, along with their 3 children; and

WHEREAS, Knowing that time was short, Sergeant Brad Delphey retrieved a collapsible ladder from his squad car and took it to the rear of the townhome; Officer Ryan Melhouse then climbed the ladder to the balcony and handed the children to Sgt. Delphey and Officer Matt Fleming; shortly afterwards, Darrin and Amy Smith climbed down the ladder with assistance from Officer Melhouse; the officers' teamwork and training enabled them to save the Smith family from the balcony within 4 minutes after receiving the dispatch; and

WHEREAS, After rescuing the family from the townhome, the officers checked the adjoining residences to determine if anyone else was in the townhome; the officers then assisted one elderly resident from the building; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Delphey, Officer Melhouse, and Officer Fleming were ably assisted on the scene by Officer Ben Hackl, Officer Brandon Dilg, and Officer David Canon; and

WHEREAS, Within minutes of the dispatch, personnel from all 4 of the Oswego Fire Department's stations responded to the call and extinguished the fire in the townhome; and

WHEREAS, The officers and firemen who risked their lives to save the Smith family serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the members of the Oswego Police Department and Oswego Fire Department who rescued the Smith family and commend them for their courage and dedication in the face of danger; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Brad Delphey, Officer Ryan Melhouse, Officer Matt Fleming, Officer Ben Hackl, Officer Brandon Dilg, Officer David Canon, and Oswego Fire Chief Brad Smith as a symbol of our esteem and respect.