On the recordDecember 11, 2019
Today I rise to honor two Summit County deputies who went above and beyond their job description to rescue an elderly couple from a house fire in Green, Ohio. On November 19, 2019, just before 10 p.m., Deputies Chris Boyd and Bill Wandling were first to arrive at the scene when they heard neighbors yelling to alert them that 85-year-old Caroline Knotts and her 86-year-old husband, James, were still inside the home engulfed in flames. While neither Chris nor Bill are firefighters, they felt compelled to help. Without hesitation, the two deputies rushed through the thick smoke for nearly 10 minutes before eventually discovering the couple and taking them and their family dog to safety. According to Chris and Bill, they were just fulfilling their duty to the citizens of Summit County; but, to me and to everyone present that night, these deputies demonstrated the kindness, generosity, and love of neighbor that reflects the very best of our northeast Ohio community. Thank you to Chris and Bill for your dedicated service to our community. ____________________
