By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Nine volunteer firefighters, one police officer and one emergency medical technician were honored by American Legion Post 414 for their service at the post’s annual awards night last week.
American Legion Post 414 also announced the recipient of its Citizen of the Year award and honored some of its own members, as well, at the ceremony held at its headquarters on Berwyn Place. The awards ceremony was begun in 1977.
Honoring those involved in public safety whether it is volunteer firefighters, police officers or emergency medical technicians is “something you need to do. They need to know they are appreciated. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you,’” said American Legion Post 414 Commander Sam Alphin.
Seven volunteer firefighters from the Slackwood and Lawrence Road volunteer fire companies were recognized for their attempts to rescue a woman who was fatally injured in a fire that occurred in her apartment at the Carriage Park condominium development on Colts Circle Feb. 23.
Slackwood Fire Chief Mark Lenarski, Captain Marty Sudol, Safety Officer Jack Oakley Jr., and firefighter Matt Haenni of the Slackwood Fire Co., and Deputy Fire Chief Michael Byrd, Captain Steve Hodgon and firefighter Joe Dlabik Jr. of the Lawrence Road Fire Co. were honored.
The firefighters went into the building to investigate the cause of a fire alarm. They found a water leak and traced it to one of the apartments. When they forced open the door, they found heavy smoke and heard someone moaning in the bedroom. That’s when they found the victim, who suffered severe burns. She was taken to a hospital, where she died of her injuries.
”The firefighters went above and beyond the call of duty and deserve to be honored for their actions. Their heroic actions are an example of what the firefighters in Lawrence Township bring to the table every day, risking their lives to save another,” said master of ceremonies Andrew Tunnard.
Also honored were Shaun Dlabik, a past fire chief of the Lawrence Road Fire Co., and Matthew Azrolan of the Lawrenceville Fire Co. Both men joined their respective volunteer fire companies as junior members as teenagers, and later became full-fledged firefighters.
Mr. Dlabik has served as lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and fire chief, Mr. Tunnard said. He has been a top responder since he joined the Lawrence Road Fire Co. since joining as a junior firefighter in 1998. He is now a paid firefighter for Lawrence Township.
Although Mr. Azrolan left for college after graduating from high school, he continued to serve as a volunteer firefighter whenever he was home from school. He is now a career firefighter at the Reading, Pa., Fire Department, but still responds as a volunteer when he is in Lawrence. He is a lieutenant with the Lawrenceville Fire Co.
Police Officer Joseph D. Radlinsky was honored for his work as a police officer. He has spent much of his career on the midnight shift, patrolling the township and making hundreds of arrests, Mr. Tunnard said.
Officer Radlinsky played a key role in apprehending two men who were attempting to rob the AT&T store on Princeton Avenue in March 2013. He had set up surveillance on the store when he noticed two men, wearing ski masks and carrying backpacks.
Officer Radlinsky tried to stop them single-handedly, but they fled. Additional police officers responded for backup, and caught the men. Police found handguns in one of the backpacks and in the get-away car.
Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Technician Susan Bodnar was cited for her outstanding service. She has worked for the Lawrence Township EMS since 2010.
Soon after she was hired, she and her partners were sent to help a patient who had suffered cardiac arrest. The patient survived, and Ms. Bodnar and her partner would visit the patient to cheer her up.
”Susan’s character speaks for itself in the type of person and EMS provider she is,” Mr. Tunnard said. “She is a true asset to the Lawrence Township EMS Department, where she continues to make a difference in every life she touches every day.”
The American Legion Post 414 also honored Timothy Dalton as its Citizen of the Year, for his perseverance in spite of serious health issues. He has had two kidney transplants one in 1990 and another in 2006. He also lost his eyesight, but that did not deter him from staying involved in the community.
Mr. Dalton has been a member of the Lawrenceville Fire Co. since 1979, and remains active with it today. He joined the Lawrence Township Lions Club and, following his first kidney transplant, he became active with the Gift of Life organ donor program including participating in swimming and golf in the Transplant Olympics in Philadelphia.
”From the time Tim’s medical problems first developed 25years ago, he did not withdraw from an active life, but met the challenges with grit, determination and the ‘will’ to lead an active lifestyle in spite of his disabilities. He is a role model to all those with physical disabilities,” Mr. Tunnard said.
Honoring its own, American Legion Post 414 named Steve Arnold as its Veteran of the Year. He has been active in executive committee and served as a trustee, an alternate delegate and as a delegate to the Department Convention.
Mr. Arnold was instrumental in helping to organize Post 414’s American Legion Riders Chapter for motorcyclists, which began with seven members and has now grown to more than 20 members. It grew out of his participation in the Patriot Guard missions mainly veterans who take their motorcycles to funerals of fallen service members to buffer the families from protestors.
American Legion Post 414 wrapped up the evening by presenting special appreciation awards to Rosemary Walker, Layne Gambol, William C. Chester, Joseph Jusiewicz, Edward J. Rowcotsky, Robert Radice, John Kite and Denise Rank.

