March 29, 2007

48th Annual Hall of Fame Awards

       The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis conducted its 48th Annual Hall of Fame Awards earlier today at the Center Grove High School auditorium.  The presentation, sponsored in part by Conseco, was emceed by Scott Sander of WISH-TV news.  The half-hour program honored eleven individuals involved in five separate incidents from around central Indiana.  Included in those was Firefighter/EMT Michael Shoemaker and Firefighter/EMT Jason Tibbetts, both from the White River Township Fire Department.  Both Shoemaker and Tibbetts are being honored for their part in rescuing a woman from a burning home last March.  The plaque that each would receive read "For braving the rapidly deteriorating conditions of a house fire to search for a trapped woman and bring her out safely on March 11, 2006."  As part of an entire crew of over forty-five firefighters on the scene that day, including co-members Lieutenant Jeff Smith and Firefighter/Paramedic Eric Wiseman, both entered the burning structure enduring incredible heat and thick smoke.  Both received burns during the rescue that melted their radios, helmets, and burned through some of their protective clothing.

         Established in 1958, the American Red Cross Hall of Fame pays tribute to individuals from the Central Indiana community who exemplify the spirit of the worldwide Red Cross Movement by risking their lives for others.  Forty-five individuals were nominated for the 2007 Hall of Fame.  Today, the eleven individuals involved in the five acts deemed most heroic among those nominated are being inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Their names will be added to a permanent plaque at the Greater Indianapolis Red Cross Headquarters that lists the names of more than 500 individuals who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame over the past 48 years.

         Today's event was the second time in two years to be held at a high school.  Last year, the event was conducted at Carmel High School and the response was overwhelmingly positive.  In addition to several area dignitaries, elected officials, and family members, the program was attended by all Junior and Senior students at Center Grove.  The program was also distributed via closed-circuit television to the rest of the school.

         Also inducted today were officers Vladimir Kryjanovski (Lawrence Police Department) and Steven Walters (Indianapolis Police Department) for entering a burning home and rescuing two residents and a dog.  Officers Michael Kermon, Michael Antonelli, and James Wailes, all of the Indianapolis Police Department, were inducted for protecting fellow officers during a foot pursuit of an armed suspect who had led police on a high-speed chase.  Officers Jason Rakaska and Steven Donahue, both of the Indianapolis Police Department, and civilian Marshall Jones who all worked together to enter a burning home to rescue a woman inside.  And civilian Aaron Holden for rescuing a neighbor who was trapped under a riding lawn mower that was submerged in a pond.

           
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