Albion recognizes 2 police officers who tried to save man who died in fire

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion police officers Alexandra Reigle and Jacob Cotriss were recognized during the Village Board meeting on Wednesday. They are shown with Trustee William Gabalski, left, and Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley.

The Village Board declared the day as “Blue Heroes Day” in honor of the two officers who tried to save a man in a burning trailer at Oak Orchard Estates on April 15.

Reigle and Cotriss arrived on the scene at about 11:45 p.m. on April 14 before firefighters. The two officers weren’t wearing protective gear to withstand the fire but still tried to get the man out of the trailer.

William E. Christy, 68, died in the fire at his home at 30 North St. Neighbors also tried to get him out but the trailer but they were unable to break through windows and locked doors.

“These two young officers put their lives on the line for the community,” Riley said.

Reigle and Cotriss both were presented with framed proclamations from the Village Board. The board declared “Blue Heroes Day” in honor of the two officers and urged “all citizens to thank them for their tireless efforts dedicated to serving our community and its citizens.”

The board states in the proclamation it wants to “recognize the heroic efforts out forth by these officers to save a life that was lost in a fire.”