The Berks County chapter of the American Red Cross paid tribute to several local heroes for their commitment, sacrifice, and bravery. It was the 5th annual Heroes Breakfast, sponsored in part by 69-WFMZ and emceed by Karin Mallett, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing. 

[ Fire Safety Hero: Dep. Chief Christopher Jordan ]
[ Law Enforcement Hero: Sgt. Leon Grim ]
[ Adult Good Samaritan Hero: Luis Lazarde, Sr. ]
[ Youth Good Samaritan Heroes: Orlando Rodriguez & Julio Arroyo ]
[ Military Hero: Command Sgt. Major Wade Heilman ]
[ Animal Rescue Hero: Julian ]
[ Community Impact Hero: Albert Boscov ]
[ Medical Heroes: Alison Maurer & Joe Miller ]
  
Barry Schlouch, founder and president of Blandon-based Schlouch, Incorporated, served as the keynote speaker. 

Those who were honored this morning were Deputy Chief Christopher Jordan of the Reiffton Fire Company in Exeter Township as Fire Safety Hero. On September 7, 2008, Jordan responded to a fire in his personal vehicle and helped rescue a woman he found trapped inside her burning home.  [ Fire Safety Hero: Dep. Chief Christopher Jordan ]

Sergeant Leon Grim of the Wyomissing Police Department was recognized as the Law Enforcement Hero for his role in nabbing a suspect wanted for a series of convenience store robberies. On July 13, 2008, Sgt. Grim shot the suspect in self-defense as he tried to get inside Grim's patrol car and take him hostage. [ Law Enforcement Hero: Sgt. Leon Grim ]

Luis Lazarde, Sr. was honored as the Adult Good Samaritan Hero for saving the life of a young boy who was stabbed multiple times outside Northeast Middle School in Reading on December 5, 2008. Luis and his son rushed the boy to the hospital in his car. [ Adult Good Samaritan Hero: Luis Lazarde, Sr. ]

Orlando Rodriguez and Julio Arroyo were recognized as Youth Good Samaritan Heroes for saving the life of a man who fell from a concrete abutment into the Schuylkill River in Reading. Julio called 911 and then jumped in the river as the man began drifting towards the rapids. With Orlando's help, he pulled the victim out of the water and awaited the arrival of emergency crews. [ Youth Good Samaritan Heroes: Orlando Rodriguez & Julio Arroyo ]

Command Sergeant Major Wade Heilman was honored as the Military Hero. The former chief of the Robesonia Police Department is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. [ Military Hero: Command Sgt. Major Wade Heilman ]

Julian was recognized as the Animal Rescue Hero. On May 11, 2008, the dog began barking and licking the face of her owner, Barbara Griffith, who is diabetic. The barking alerted Barbara's husband, who went upstairs to check on his wife and then called for an ambulance. [ Animal Rescue Hero: Julian ]

Albert Boscov was recognized as the Community Impact Hero. The retailer has played a key role in revitalizing areas of Reading with his efforts to open the GoggleWorks, the IMAX Theater, an apartment complex, and a hotel across the street from the Sovereign Center. As founder of "Our City Reading," he's also led an effort to restore blighted homes and sell them well below cost to low-income buyers. Boscov also recently bought back his family's chain of department stores, which filed for bankruptcy last August. [ Community Impact Hero: Albert Boscov ]

Alison Maurer and Joe Miller of the St. Joseph Health Center in Exeter Township were honored as Medical Heroes. They used CPR and a defibrillator to revive a 73-year-old man who passed out and went into cardiac arrhythmia. [ Medical Heroes: Alison Maurer & Joe Miller ]

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