The members of the Kankakee Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #129 handed out two awards last week – the first two of its kind in the lodge’s history.
The members named Knox City Police Officer Chad Dulin as Officer of the Year. He was given this distinction for his heroic act after a scary accident on Feb. 11, 2012.
Dulin and Knox-Center Township firefighter Wayne Noah were quick in their actions in saving the life of a child after Tessa Haney’s vehicle hit a patch of ice and lost control at 200 East and State Road 8 that day. The vehicle landed on its top in a deep ditch on the south side of the roadway with water filling the car. Dulin, along with Noah, were able to break out the rear window of the vehicle and free Haney’s then-two-year-old daughter, Jocelyn. The Knox Fire Department then arrived on scene and firefighters had to use extrication equipment to free Haney.
Dulin was nominated by his fellow officers and co-workers. A panel of four judges selected him for the honor.
The F.O.P. members also awarded Melissa Osburn with the Dispatcher of the Year award. She was nominated by her co-workers at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department for a positive attitude and her ability to remain calm in situations that are extremely stressful.
