LEE J. FISCHER FIREFIGHTER/POLICE AWARDS
Local heroes were honored at the Kiwanis Club of Zion-Benton’s annual Award and Installation Dinner on Thursday, September 29, 2011. Six firefighters and police officers were awarded the Lee J. Fischer Firefighter/Police Award for Firefighter or Police Officer of the year. Each honoree was nominated by his chief. Honorees are:
- Alan Eppers, Lt. Firefighter/Paramedic, City of Zion, Fire and Rescue Department.
- Gavin G. Hansen, Firefighter/EMT, Newport Township Fire Protection District.
- Brandon M. Martin, Engineer/Paramedic, Village of Winthrop Harbor Fire Department.
- Pedro Samarripa, Engineer/Paramedic, Beach Park Fire
Department. - Michael I. Bitton, Director of Police Administration, Winthrop Harbor Police Department.
- Detective Paul Kehrli, City of Zion, Zion Police
Department.
Pictures from the awards are on the club’s Facebook page. This award was named after Lee Fischer (January 17, 1942-June 11, 2011), who was born in Aurora, Illinois and moved to Zion in 1963. Lee owned Mt. Olivet Memorial Park in Zion and was active in the Kiwanis Club of Zion-Benton and was on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home Association. Lee was a dedicated fireman for the City of Zion and retired from the department in 2003 after 38 years of service. Lee has always been a dedicated volunteer in our community. He served as President of the ZBTHS Athletic Booster Club and of the Kiwanis Club of Zion-Benton. He was on the board of directors for the Zion Chamber of Commerce, and received the Zion Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award.
