Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer and the Babylon Town Board recently presented Suffolk County Police Officer Avital Donnenfeld with a Heroism Award, the town’s highest honor, for saving a West Babylon family from a large fire in their home this past New Year’s Eve.
In the early morning hours of December 31, 2019, Officer Donnenfeld was completing his routine patrol when he noticed smoke rising in the air. Realizing that it was emanating from a residence on Ecker Avenue and recognizing the danger posed to its inhabitants, Officer Donnenfeld took action and ran into the home, evacuating the family minutes before the house became completely engulfed in flames. Officer Donnenfeld then alerted the surrounding neighbors to protect them in the event that the fire spread to their own properties.
The town officials, joined by Inspector Kevin Kane of the Suffolk County Police Department First Precinct, thanked Officer Donnenfeld, who has been with the department for 14 years, for his valuable service and recognized his bravery, having put himself in harm’s way to save the lives of others.
Pictured from left to right are Councilman DuWayne Gregory; Receiver of Taxes Jennifer Montiglio; Town Clerk Gerry Compitello; Inspector Kane; Officer Donnenfeld; Supervisor Schaffer; Councilman Anthony Manetta; Councilman Terry McSweeney; Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez; and Town Attorney Joe Wilson.