The Optimist Club of Dundalk recently awarded two first responders as the 2023 Police Officer and EMS/Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.
“This is one of our favorite programs,” said Irene Mann, vice president of the Optimist Club of Dundalk. “This year, for the first time, we’re really excited to also honor a volunteer firefighter.”
Police Officer Gary Leach and volunteer Fire Captain Marc Taylor were honored during a ceremony on May 22 at the Optimists’ clubhouse on North Point Road. They were each given a plaque and a check for $500, along with a catered dinner donated by Chick-Fil-A Eastpoint and the Boulevard Diner.
Taylor was on duty during the awards ceremony, so the award was presented to his family and fellow firefighters from the North Point-Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department.
“Marc is a go-getter, Marc wants to do whatever needs to be done,” said Matt Morgan, assistant chief of the volunteer fire department. “He is the first one to go, ‘Let me do this.’”
Fire Chief George Theodoroy said that Taylor has saved multiple lives with water rescues and he is often among the first on the water in an emergency.
“This past summer, when we had a gentleman that was stranded down at Millers Island, Marc was one of the first responders who was able to get that gentleman and bring him back, so that guy is still alive today,” Theodoroy said.
Officer Leach has also saved lives. Baltimore County Police Captain Anthony DiCara noted that Leach saved a woman from a dangerous armed suspect before taking him into custody.
“A gentleman was suicidal and homicidal, and Officer Leach and some other officers rescued this lady off of her front porch while this guy was in the house,” DiCara said. “He fired some shots at the officer but nobody was hurt, and we were able to take him into custody safely and make sure that lady was okay.”
DiCara added that Leach also arrested a package thief in Inverness and went the extra mile as he returned the stolen goods door-to-door “like Santa Claus”.
“I’m just out to help the community, and we certainly appreciate the help that we get from the community,” Leach said. “When you help with our investigations so you can have a safe time with your families.”
Leach and the other first responders thanked the Optimist Club for their continued support.
“I’m in my 31st year, and the majority of that time I’ve spent in Dundalk as an officer in various ranks,” DiCara said. “It’s groups like this and people like you who make this area such a great place to live and work.”
“We don’t do this for the recognition, but the recognition is appreciated,” Assistant Fire Chief Morgan said.
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