BY JIM BEERS Contributing Writer
CHESTER – On December 17, 2022 at 1:01 p.m. the Chester Fire Department received a call to report to a house fire which involved an individual that as was still in the house. According to Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert the trapped individual was a male that was wheel chair bound
Bert said, “When we arrived on the scene the Chester Police were already on the scene and had taken action to assist the man in the house. Apparently the man was on his bed on the lower level of the house and the fire was right above him with smoke making its way down to where he was laying.”
Pictured are City of Chester Police Chief, Bobby Helmers, with Chester Police Officers Steve Laramore and Jeff Hammel after Laramore and Hammel were presented with Medals of Honor for their life-saving efforts on the afternoon of December 17, 2022. While responding to a fire call in Chester, Laramore and Hammel entered a burning house and pulled a disabled man from his burning, smoke-filled bedroom thusly saving his life. They then assisted the Chester Fire Department rescue a deranged woman from the roof of the burning house by climbing a ladder and helping firemen to talk her down. Chef Helmers, Fire Chief Marty Bert and Mayor Tom Page were all very impressed with and proud of the officers for their bravery and life-saving efforts. Kathy Belcher Photo
“Risking their own lives, Hammel and Laramore went into the house and rescued the man from the smoke-filled room. Had they not taken action, the man very possibly may have died from smoke inhalation.”
According to police, it was also discovered that there was a woman on a portion of the roof of the house. She reportedly appeared to be under the influence of some type of drugs and was accused of starting the fire.
“When authorities tried to get her to come down from the roof, the lady refused. Officers Hammel and Laramore, with assistance from Chester firemen, got a ladder and were able to eventually persuade the lady to allow them to help her off the roof. Once again, her mental difficulty interfered with rescue efforts.
Chester Police Chief Bobby Helmers said, “Officers Laramore and Hammel responded to a smoke-filled house without regard for their own safety and carried the man to safety. They effectively saved him from perishing.”
Fire Chief Bert said, “Those officers did not have to do what they did. They acted quickly and on their own before we arrived on the scene. They basically saved the life of the man in the smoke-filled burning room.”
“I called Mayor Page following the incident an informed him of the officer’s bravery and recommended that they be honored. Both Laramore and Hammel have had fire training, Hammel in Chester and I believe Laramore was trained in Sparta. Hammel is still a member of the Chester Fire Department”, said Bert.
On April 17, 2023, Hammel and Laramore were honored for their bravery at the Chester City Council meeting. Police Chief Bobby Helmers recalled the events that took place during the rescue efforts and stated, “Based on the officers’ quick thinking, bravery, and heroic actions, they are hereby awarded the Medal of Valor.”
Mayor Tom Page said, “I am super proud of these officers. They went above and beyond what was expected of them to help save the life of a fire victim and I am just so very proud of them!”
“One of the best things that a mayor can ever wish for is to have employees like these that make you proud. I am extremely pleased and happy that Hammel and Laramore are on our Chester Police Force and Hammel is even a member of our Chester Fire Department. Both are well-deserving of having been honored with the Medal of Valor!”