Tomasz Kaczowka and Michael Chiapperini - Firefighters - New York State

Michael Chiapperini

Volunteer Firefighters Tomasz Kacwoka, age 19, and Michael Chiapperini, age 43, died on December 24, 2012, near Webster, New York.

Both men were volunteer members of the West Webster Fire Department.

They and two other firemen were responding to a blaze in a house and car that broke out just before 6:00 a.m. Two of the firefighters had arrived in a fire engine and two in their own vehicles.

As they approached the scene they were fired at. Four were shot, two fatally. Investigators believe the suspect had deliberately set a trap to lure them to the scene.

Tom Kaczowka

After the gunman fired, one of the wounded men managed to flee, but the other three couldn't because of flying gunfire. A police armored vehicle was used to recover two of the men, and eventually it evacuated 33 people from nearby homes. In total, 4 homes and 4 cars were engulfed in flames and 3 other homes were damaged.

The gunman, William Spengler, was a convicted felon and served 17 years in the New York State department of corrections for first degree manslaughter. He did not have a license to own a firearm. William Spengler was found dead at the scene of gunshot wounds. It is undetermined if he died of self-inflicted wounds or was shot in the cross-fire.

Volunteer firefighters Joseph Hofsetter and Theodore Scardino who were also shot, are expected to recover.

Mike Chiapperini was an officer with the Webster Police Department and had about 20 years of service. He is described as a lifetime volunteer firefighter.

Tomasz Kaczowka was a Monroe County 911 dispatcher and is described by local fire officials as a tremendous young man.

New York State officials describe Mike and Tomasz as true heroes.

Saint Florian, Patron
Saint of Firefighters,
pray for Mike and
Tom

Mike and Tomasz are survived by many loving friends and relatives.

Thank you for serving, Mike. Thank you for serving, Tom. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

God save us from the Lost Ones who stalk the Earth stealing away life. Amen.

Let us pray that Michael Chiapperini is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Let us pray that Tomasz Kaczowka is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.