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Lewes Fire Department holds awards banquet

Donovan receives Firefighter of the Year
Chief Engineer Richard Donovan, center, receives the Firefighter of the Year Award from Vice President John Colpo, left, and LFD Director Mike MacCoy. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 29, 2025

The Lewes Fire Department held its annual awards banquet Jan. 25 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, where members and families of Station 82 celebrated the department’s 228th anniversary.

In 2024, the department answered 1,147 fire alarms and 6,442 EMS calls for a total of 7,589 emergency responses.

Chief Engineer Richard Donovan was honored with the Firefighter of the Year Award. 

Ernie Stanley and Wally Evans received 50-year member awards, and Caddie Joseph received a 40-year award. Bernie Edmondson received the Louis A. Rickards President’s Award.

Lewes Fire Department 2024 President Richard Bunting Jr. welcomes attendees to the annual awards banquet.
Assistant Chief Steve Evans introduces the administrative officers while LFD 2024 President Richard Bunting Jr., center, and chaplain Charlie Arnold look on.
LFD Vice President John Colpo introduces VIPs in attendance while 2024 President Richard Bunting Jr. looks on.
The fire police top responders for 2024 are (l-r) Ed Schaeffer, Fred Slater, Mike Truitt, John Peterson, Steve Gallagher, Terry Carney and Mel Kreps.
Fire Chief William Buckaloo introduces the fire line officers.
Fire Police Captain Ed Schaeffer speaks to attendees about the fire police.
Having a good time at the cocktail hour are (l-r) Lewes City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe, Assistant City Manager Janet Reeves, former Rep. Steve Smyk, and LFD honorary member and Chief Deputy Sheriff Fred Slater, who is also a retired Lewes police officer and active Lewes fire police officer.
LFD Vice President John Colpo, left, and LFD Treasurer Bryan Pepper accept a check from Lewes City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe.
The LFD Auxiliary is recognized at the banquet. Shown are (l-r) Emmy Wyatt, Karen Hunsicker, Sherry Wyatt, Karen Webb, Bryan Pepper, Jerri MacCoy, Olga Fitch, Dennis Moore, John Cilmi, Marsha Esposito, Jack Giampietro, Nancy Donlon, Brent Guyer, Michelle Guyer, Nina Wilkinson, Susan O’Doherty, Jim O’Doherty, Pam Cook, Allyssa Bunting and JoAnn Gigliotti.
The LFD Auxiliary officers are (l-r) Karen Hunsicker, president; Pam Cook, vice president; and Jerri MacCoy, treasurer. Absent is Stephanie Talino, secretary.
Assistant Chief of Career Services Dennis Dean introduces the career staff and the EMS awards.
LFD Auxiliary President Karen Hunsicker introduces the 2025 officers.
LFD Vice President John Colpo presents a 50-year member award to Wally Evans.
Ernie Stanley celebrates his 50-year member award with sisters Diane Tingle, left, and Cynthia Gooch.
Caddie Joseph receives her 40-year member award from LFD Vice President John Colpo, left, and LFD President Richard Bunting Jr.
Friends and family celebrate Ernie Stanley’s 50-year award. Shown are (l-r) LFD Vice President John Colpo, Steve Evans, John and Diane Tingle, Earnest Stanley, Cynthia Gooch, Copley West, Ralph Gooch and LFD President Richard Bunting Jr.
The 2024 Auxiliary Member of the Year is Rita McClanahan. Auxiliary President Karen Hunsicker accepts the award from Mike MacCoy.
Bernie Edmondson receives the Louis A. Rickards President’s Award from LFD 2024 President Richard Bunting Jr., left, and Vice President John Colpo.
Dennis Dean receives an award of appreciation from LFD President Richard Bunting Jr., left, and Vice President John Colpo.
Richard Donovan presents the Chief Engineer Award.
LFD Vice President John Colpo and President Richard Bunting Jr. present the 40-year award to Caddie Joseph.
Steve Shevock receives an award for 15 years of service from Assistant Chief Steve Evans.
Jerri MacCoy receives an award for 15 years of service. Shown are (l-r) Vice President John Colpo, son Austin, Jerri, husband Mike and son Griffin.
Ray Quillen receives an honorary member award from Vice President John Colpo and Fire Chief Bill Buckaloo.
LFD President Richard Bunting Jr. receives a plaque of appreciation from Assistant Chief Steve Evans.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, presents Senate tributes to Ernie Stanley, Caddie Joseph and Wally Evans.
Kyle Shaeffer receives an honorary member plate from LFD Vice President John Colpo, left, and Fire Chief Bill Buckaloo.
A gag gift from Chief Engineer Ricky Donovan, right, to past Chief Greg Bennett.
Wally Evans receives a 50-year member award. Shown are (l-r) President Richard Bunting Jr., Vice President John Colpo, Assistant Chief Steve Evans, Wally Evans, wife Kristin Evans, sister Ginny Rickards, Mindy Evans and Craig Stephens.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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