Heroes honored at Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. — The daughter of a fallen Worcester firefighter was given an award honoring her late father on Tuesday. The emotional moment was part of a ceremony honoring the bravest firefighters in the Commonwealth.

The governor and lieutenant governor were there to recognize what was a stage full of heroes, but there were some whose sacrifice was so great that only their family was there to accept the honor.

A hero's honor at the 30th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester. The highest honor bestowed upon a man whose sacrifice was above all others.

Ava Roy, daughter of late Worcester firefighter Christopher Roy, was emotional as she accepted his Medal of Honor. The 36-year-old was killed while battling an early morning fire – suspected to be arson – on Lowell Street last December.

A total of 23 awards were given to those who showed bravery and selflessness in life-threatening emergencies.

Chiefs of Lawrence, Andover and the North Andover fire departments accepted Fire Marshal Awards for their quick response to the Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions in September of last year and their ongoing recovery efforts.

Rockland firefighters honored for their rescues of a mother and teenage girl, stuck inside a third-floor apartment consumed by flames and smoke.

And Everett firefighters receiving Medals of Honor. Deputy Chief Scott Dalrymple and firefighter Joshua Doyon suffered severe burns when they entered an illegal three-family engulfed in flames in July 2018. Doyon dragged Dalrymple to safety while both were on fire. The crew then rescued a woman on the roof.

And finally, a bell of remembrance in recognition of all whose lives were lost in the line of duty, including Worcester fire Lieutenant Jason Menard, who died after rescuing two fellow firefighters from a burning multifamily earlier last month.

Cox Media Group