K of C honors Officer Zepf, Firefighter Buckley

Fire Chief Charlie Doody, firefighter John Buckley, police officer Bob Zepf and Police Chief Ken Berkowitz (Amy Nachbar photo)

On Friday night, June 17, Canton Firefighter/EMT John Buckley and Police Officer Robert Zepf were both honored as the 2011 recipients of the Knights of Columbus Richard A. Stein Public Safety Awards at a special ceremony at the K of C Hall on Pleasant Street.

Zepf was singled out for his quick thinking and heroic actions to save a heart attack victim. Buckley was recognized for his fundraising efforts and for devoting countless hours of personal time to assist various charitable organizations.

This is the 11^th year the K of C has hosted the event, created by the late Dick Stein, a former Canton animal control officer and K of C member who felt the town should honor a police officer and a firefighter who goes “above and beyond what is expected of them.” The awards are selected annually by police officers and firefighters as well as department chiefs.

Proclamations honoring both men were read by selectmen, representatives from the K of C, from the state Senate and House of Representatives, as well as from the United States Congress.

Fire Chief Charlie Doody said Buckley stands out among his peers because of his involvement in raising money and donating his time to various charities and causes.

“In addition to his charitable endeavors, John Buckley is a model employee who is an active and engaged member of our department and our community,” said Doody.

Buckley has been a Canton firefighter and EMT since June of 2006. Originally from Norwood, he moved to Stoughton with his wife, Michelle, his daughter, Ava, 6, and son, Jake, 3.

In addition to his many duties, Buckley, a former automotive technician, was recently appointed as the assistant mechanic for the department.

In 2009, Buckley volunteered his time to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation construct a playhouse for Christopher Mullen of Canton, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma as a toddler. Doody said although “Christopher tragically passed away this year, John’s willingness to donate his time and labor to help the Mullen family provided Christopher with the opportunity to be a kid in his backyard.”

For the past three years, Buckley has organized and participated in a charity hockey game between the fire and police departments, helping to raise nearly $10,000 for groups such as the Ricky 27 Foundation; the family of Lt. Kevin Kelly of the Boston Fire Department, who tragically died in a ladder truck crash on Mission Hill; and this year for Canton-based Journey Forward, a rehabilitation program for people with spinal cord injuries. Journey Forward is currently working with Matt Brown, the Norwood High hockey player who was paralyzed in a hockey game last year.

Buckley regularly participates in Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising activities, including the Fire Department’s “Fill the Boot” campaign and its annual volleyball tournament at CHS. He has also participated in wheelchair football at the Mass Hospital School.

Meanwhile, as a tribute to Officer Zepf, Police Chief Ken Berkowitz recounted the 911 call this winter of a man suffering a massive heart attack at his York Street home. When Zepf arrived, he found the man unresponsive and in full cardiac arrest. As the first responding officer, he immediately initiated CPR and applied the portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED), causing the man’s heart to restart.

Shortly after that, firefighter/paramedics Steve Driscoll and Bob Collins arrived on the scene and took over the medical care. After administering some medication, Driscoll and Collins noticed that the patient was breathing, and a short time later he was alert and talking.

“If it had not been for Officer Zepf’s immediate action, this would not have been possible,” said Berkowitz. “Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘The only thing greater than creating a life is saving one,’ and Bob, that’s what you did.”

The chief commended Zepf’s father, retired Lt. Detective Robert Zepf, for “doing a great job mentoring [his] son.” “He truly is a great officer and you should be very proud,” said Berkowitz.

The chief said this is just one example of how closely the partnership is between the Canton Police and Fire departments. He also thanked the K of C for continuing to host the event and for recognizing the work of public safety personnel every year.

He recalled that during the Boston Bruins’ recent run to the Stanley Cup, one heroic incident did not make the headlines. Boston Police Officer Sean Marando was dispatched to a domestic disturbance call in Dorchester. A woman had reported that her boyfriend had assaulted her and was threatening to kill her. The suspect opened fire on police, and a bullet hit Marando in the leg. Marando returned fire, saving the lives of the woman, Marando’s partner, and neighborhood children walking to school.

Berkowitz recalled other similar incidents and noted that nationwide, the number of officers killed by gunfire has risen this year. As of June 16, 38 officers have been fatally shot, compared to 26 last year.

“My point of sharing this story is simple,” Berkowitz said. “We can all name just about every Boston Bruin, and we know what number they wear on their sweaters. So how come we don’t know who Officer Marando is and what his badge number is?”

“It’s simple. As a society, we take for granted what police officers do, and we fail to delineate and we fail to prioritize what is really deserving of recognition. But tonight’s different because tonight we get it right. We have our priorities straight, and we honor the heroes who live and work in our community, the heroes who make Canton such a great town.”

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