An off-duty rookie firefighter who just hours before receiving his badge rescued a teenager after the boy and his mother fell through the ice near Cary was among several responders honored Monday.
The Cary Fire Protection District recognized several members and a community resident for their roles in a January 13 water rescue on Lake Killarney.
Fire officials presented the Milton A. Neeley Lifesaving Award, Unit Citations and a Community Service Award to those whose actions helped save two individuals who had fallen through the ice near the East Beach area.
The Milton A. Neeley Lifesaving Award was presented to Firefighter-EMT Ben Delatorre, Firefighter-EMT Cody Delatorre and Firefighter-EMT Kyler Ochab.
The award is one of the fire district’s highest honors and is reserved for members whose actions directly result in the saving of a life under particularly dangerous conditions, according to Cary Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
911 callers in the 6200 block of Londonderry Drive in unincorporated Cary reported people calling out for help on Lake Killarney around 4:38 p.m. that day.
Ben Delatorre and Cody Delatorre, who were off duty at the time, were in the area and arrived shortly after the initial dispatch.
They observed two people approximately 50-75 feet from shore who had fallen through the ice while attempting to go ice fishing, Vucha said.
Both victims were struggling to keep their heads above water.
Vucha said Ben Delatorre, a probationary firefighter, entered the water through the ice and made a rescue of a teenage victim. Cody Delatorre, who is his brother, remained on shore.
On-duty fire crews arrived moments later and began coordinated rescue operations to remove the remaining adult victim, who was the mother of the teenager, from the water.
On-duty firefighter Kyler Ochab donned a Mustang survival suit, entered the water to assist with the rescue, helping bring the woman to safety.
“Their coordinated actions and willingness to place themselves in harm’s way were instrumental in saving lives and bringing the incident to a successful outcome,” Vucha said.
Both victims were rescued within approximately eight minutes of the fire department’s arrival and transported to the hospital.
The off-duty firefighter who made the rescue did so just an hour before he and six other firefighters completed their probationary period and received their badges during a ceremony at Cary Fire Protection District Station #1.
Vucha said Steven Willis, a Lake Killarney resident, had attempted to assist prior to the arrival of emergency crews and also fell through the ice.
He was able to self-rescue and return to shore on his own before being evaluated by paramedics.
Along with the two Delatorre brothers and Ochab, the fire district also presented the Community Service Award to Willis for his “courageous actions in attempting to rescue the victims before fire department personnel arrived and for continuing to assist responders once he was safe.”
“His willingness to act in an emergency and provide support played an important role in the overall rescue effort,” Vucha said.
The Cary Fire Protection District Unit Citation was awarded to NERCOM Telecommunicators Penelope Wegner, Bridgette Veronese, Tracy McNamara and Grant Havens, along with Fire District Lieutenant Steve Nelson and Fire District Lieutenant Peter Penkava.
“These individuals were recognized for their critical roles in coordinating, supervising, and supporting the incident, ensuring that resources were dispatched quickly and that the rescue operation was carried out safely and effectively,” Vucha said.
The Cary Fire Protection District said they commend all of those involved for their professionalism, teamwork and dedication to protecting others. “Their actions on January 13, 2026, reflect the highest standards of service to the community.”