Local heroes were recently awarded for their outstanding service.
Citizens Appreciate Public Safety, or CAPS, held their 15th annual award ceremony to honor the Naperville Fire Department.
Hosted at Mesón Sabika, the night consisted of celebrating and recognizing members of the department.
More than 20 CAPS awards were presented throughout the night.
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioner’s Award was given to Lieutenant James Perkovich, who was also recognized as Firefighter of The Year by the Naperville Exchange Club.
Each year a special member receives the George Winckler Award. This is a high honor award that serves in memory of George Winckler, a 26-year veteran of the fire department who died of a heart attack during training.
This year the award went to Firefighter Paramedic, Chris Garon.
“It’s extremely humbling. I didn’t expect it, and I told my wife that my dad was a fireman, and Andy’s dad was a fireman, and every day my dad went to work I always knew that he couldn’t come home. And Andy’s dad didn’t come home, so now to be honored like this is truly humbling and motivating to continue working hard,” said Garon.
Garon also received a CAPS Award for his work with the Explorer Post.
CAPS will be honoring members of the Naperville Police Department this spring.
Naperville News 17’s Dimitri Villanueva reports.
