Solvay Police Chief Derek Osbeck recognized the heroic actions of Town of Geddes Police Officer Ryan Legacy along with Village of Solvay Officers Tyler Hemingway and Joseph Guadagnolo in rescuing two residents from a structure fire in the Village of Solvay. Legacy is also an officer at the Village of Sherburne Police Department. (Photo from Village of Solvay Police)

SHERBURNE – Last week, the Sherburne Village Council recognized the heroic actions of one of their own. Officer Ryan Legacy, the Patrol Supervisor for the Sherburne Police Department, recently received a commendation from Village of Solvay Police Chief Derek Osbeck for his heroic actions during a residential fire that took place on October 17th in the Village of Solvay.

Sherburne Mayor William Acee commended Legacy’s actions. “We support our police officers, who daily do a dangerous job. This event resulted in saving the lives of two individuals due to officer Legacy’s quick thinking,” Acee said.

Legacy, who is also employed as a Geddes Police Officer, was dispatched to a fire at 301 Case Street in the Village of Solvay. Legacy along with Solvay Police Officers Tyler Hemingway and Joseph Guadagnolo found a fully involved residential fire with individuals trapped inside. According to the Solvay Police Department, one of the residents had attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose, causing serious burns and injuries before he made it out of the home. The officers spoke to the individual and were able to confirm that two more residents were trapped on the second floor of the structure.

Hemingway got the first victim medical attention while Legacy and Guadagnolo attempted to enter the residence, however due to the fire and smoke they could not safely reach the residents upstairs. Hemingway managed to open the front door, allowing two dogs to escape, while Legacy and Guadagnolo spoke to the trapped residents, instructing them to push out a window air conditioning unit and locating a ladder so they could safely rescue the inhabitants. In total, three residents, two dogs and several cats escaped the blaze.

“Officer Ryan Legacy and the officers from the Solvay Police Department, showed what is best in individuals that serve our communities as first responders,” said Town of Geddes Police Chief John Fall, Jr. “It is a calling and a career that is of service and putting your mindset for others into action when it is truly warranted, like on this house fire when there were victims trapped. We think of this as going above and beyond the daily call to duty. We are very proud of Ryan and the officers of the Solvay Police Department.”