Press Release: Senator Stewart-Cousins Recognizes Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli with Senate Resolution for His Act of Bravery

Albany, NY - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democratic Leader,  recognized Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli today in the State Senate with a Resolution, for his role in saving a woman’s life during a violent attack. On April 8, 2015, the Chief was driving with his two daughters, on their way to a softball game, when they passed the Irvington Train Station. At the stop sign, he spotted a man and a woman arguing, and saw the man was holding a knife. Without concern for his own safety, he jumped out of his truck and grabbed a baseball bat, running toward the couple. He was able to separate the two before police arrived to subdue the man and provide emergency assistance. The female victim had been stabbed in the chest and neck including the jugular vein.

“Chief DePaoli is a brave and caring family man, who on this day, took action when he saw a need existed, without regard for his own safety,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “His dedication to the Irvington Fire Department, where he’s been a volunteer for 24 years, and to the village, where he’s worked for 30 years and is the parks foreman, is also to be commended. He makes us proud to be New Yorkers.” Click here to watch the Senator speaking on the Resolution.

“I feel very undeserving of this honor,” said Chief DePaoli. “That’s what firefighters do - they help.”

Chief DePaoli traveled to Albany along with his family including his wife, Maureen, and his daughters, Lara and Natasha, his mother and father, Lorraine and Tom, and his sister Janet. The Irvington Village Administrator Larry Schopfer was also in attendance.

Chief DePaoli will receive a formal copy of the Resolution.