VIDEO: Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli Honored on State Senate Floor

State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democratic Leader, recognized Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli Thursday with a Resolution, citing his role in saving a woman’s life during a violent attack in April.

Stewart-Cousins, whose district includes Irvington, read the resolution on the Senate floor (See video below).

“Chief DePaoli is a brave and caring family man, who on this day, took action when he saw a need existed, without regard for his own safety,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins in a statement. “His dedication to the Irvington Fire Department, where he’s been a volunteer for 24 years, and to the village, where he’s worked for 30 years and is the parks foreman, is also to be commended. He makes us proud to be New Yorkers.”

Related:

• Mount Vernon Man, 51, Charged in Irvington Train Station Assault
• Fast-Acting Fire Chief Thwarts Stabbing at Irvington Train Station

On April 8, the Chief was driving with his two daughters, on their way to a softball game, when they passed the Irvington Train Station. At the stop sign, he spotted a man and a woman arguing, and saw the man was holding a knife. Without concern for his own safety, he jumped out of his truck and grabbed a baseball bat, running toward the couple. He was able to separate the two before police arrived to subdue the man and provide emergency assistance. The female victim had been stabbed in the chest and neck including the jugular vein.

“I feel very undeserving of his honor,” said Chief DePaoli in a statement. “That’s what firefighters do - they help.”

Chief DePaoli traveled to Albany Thursday along with his family including his wife, Maureen, and his daughters, Lara and Natasha, his mother and father, Lorraine and Tom, and his sister Janet. The Irvington Village Administrator Larry Schopfer was also in attendance.

Photo: Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins with Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli and family. Photo credit: NY State Senate

Subscribe to a free email newsletter and news alerts:

BEDFORD-KATONAH • BRONXVILLE-EASTCHESTER-TUCKAHOE • CHAPPAQUA-MOUNT KISCO • HARRISON • LARCHMONT-MAMARONECK • NANUET • NEW CITY • NEW ROCHELLE • NYACK-PIERMONT • OSSINING-CROTON • PEARL RIVER • PEEKSKILL-CORTLANDT • PELHAM • PORT CHESTER • PLEASANTVILLE-BRIARCLIFF • RIVERTOWNS • RYE • SCARSDALE • SOUTHEAST-BREWSTER • TARRYTOWN-SLEEPY HOLLOW • WHITE PLAINS • YORKTOWN-SOMERS