

HOME CURRENT EVENTS CONTACT US MEMBERS ONLY

Blue Coats honor Mentor officers

Source: New-Herald
Posted: Thursday, February 12, 2009 12:21 AM EST
By: Jacob Lammers
JLammers@News-Herald.com

Uncommon valor defines the actions of Mentor Police officers Michael Bruening and Paul Fiorilli.

Whether it's grabbing a man before he leaped off a bridge or saving a woman from oncoming traffic, both men not only showed courage in the face of uncertainty, but a willingness to go above and beyond, said Dr. Ronald J. Taddeo, president of Lake County Blue Coats.

Bruening and Fiorilli were awarded the Jorge Medina Distinguished Service Award on Wednesday night during the 43rd annual banquet of Lake County Blue Coats Inc.

"Some people look at it as only a job. Many of these people go way beyond doing their job -- they keep us safe," Taddeo said.

"Without them, what would our society be?"

The award, presented since 1968, has honored heroic police officers and firefighters who have risked their lives to help others. It comes with an engraved plaque and $500 check.

Prior to the award ceremony, presenters recognized some of the 91 previous award winners, including Mentor Police Chief Dan Llewellyn, Lake County Sheriff Daniel Dunlap and Willoughby Fire Chief Al Zwegat.

Fiorilli and Bruening said they were overwhelmed when they received a standing ovation at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites LaMalfa in Mentor.

"Looking at the people before us, (they're) tough shoes to fill," Fiorilli said.

Bruening, a hostage negotiator, remembers the incident in August when he had to talk a man out of jumping from the Center Street bridge.

The 18-year-veteran spent an hour trying to dissuade the man from taking his life; however, when it appeared the man was going to jump, Bruening grabbed him.

"I'm just glad things worked out. That's the bottom line," Bruening said. "We all went home that morning."

During a traffic stop in June, Fiorilli was initially stunned when a suicidal woman turned and ran across state Route 2 near Eastlake. But his training kicked in.

Fiorilli took advantage of a small break in traffic and darted across three lanes to reach the woman. With only seconds before another wave of vehicles reached them, he was able to bring her to safety, averting the woman's death and a possible accident.

"It's not what you'd expect, but you train for different situations," the five-year-veteran said.

Both men have shown acts of bravery before.

Years ago, Fiorilli stopped a man after he had stabbed a fellow police officer during a court proceeding.

Last week, Bruening, a former paramedic, used his skills to treat a semi-truck driver who crashed his vehicle on Interstate 90. The 30-year-old man is recovering at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Llewellyn regarded Bruening as a "highly decorated officer," who has received the combat cross, exceptional service awards and the Life Saving Award from the Lake County Police Chiefs Association.

Both men also were presented with commendations from the Lake County commissioners; U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township; and state Rep. Lorraine Fende, D-Willowick.