By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Retiring Rochester Fire Department Chief Tom Butler thought he would just watch incoming Chief T.J. DuBois and several firefighters get promoted at a ceremony on Friday, June 28, at the Rochester Fire Station.

Instead, he was surprised with an award.

Butler, whose last day was June 28, received the Shining Star Award from the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.

Before he received it, Rochester Mayor Trent Odell shared one particular story he heard from area resident Virga Smith about Butler’s service as a firefighter.

Butler had responded to an accident on US 31, said Odell.

“‘(Smith) said Tom heard on the scanner that there was an accident out there, and it wasn’t his job, but he was the first one to respond,'” said Odell. “That really exemplifies and separates the great men and women who serve from all the rest. You never hear them say, ‘It’s not my job. It’s somebody else’s.'”

“It’s whenever they see a need or hear of a need they come calling. That to me describes Tom perfectly,” said Odell.

Chamber Executive Director Jillian Smith then presented Butler with the award.

“For over two decades, the chamber has liked to congratulate and thank those that stand out in our community as shining stars in Fulton County,” she said. “It is without a doubt Chief Butler you have been a shining star. I have only had the privilege of knowing you for six years, but … the things you do for your job, you do because you love Rochester and you love Fulton County, and I so appreciate that.”

“I so appreciate you showing up at our events and helping us when you don’t have to and the support that you’ve given us. I appreciate the ways that you’ve answered requests when you’ve seen me …. We’ve been through kind of a lot together, but I appreciate the way that you always step up and go above and beyond to help Rochester, to help Fulton County, and so on behalf of our chamber ambassadors and the board of directors, we would like to present you with this Shining Star Award for 2024,” said Jillian.

Butler said after the ceremony the award was “an unexpected honor.”

“It kind of caught me off guard. I didn’t know what they were doing. It was very nice. I appreciate it,” he said.

“I hope all of the firemen have the same amount of passion … in their first day as they do their last day,” said Butler. “I was just as excited to come to work today as I was my first day.”

Along with DuBois getting promoted to chief on June 28, Jamie Gagnon was promoted to assistant chief with Alec Descoteaux promoted to captain. Brandon Cody will also serve as captain, but wasn’t present at the ceremony.

Four firefighters were also sworn in: Tanner Medina, Kaleb Shaffer, Antonio Schlosser and Brody Cooper.

Butler’s retirement open house was held at the station later on June 28.