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Parma Heights honors officers with valor, lifesaving and combat awards
Summary
Parma Heights awarded multiple police honors Nov. 12, recognizing officers for hostage rescue, on‑scene medical care during shootings, a pursuit resulting in a downed transformer, an officer‑involved shooting, and an off‑duty rescue that saved a child from a house fire.
Parma Heights City Council opened its Nov. 12 meeting with a formal police awards ceremony that recognized multiple officers for bravery and lifesaving actions spanning incidents from 2012 through 2024.
Chief Czack, joined by Safety Director Scharschmidt and Mayor Gallo, presented departmental medals including the Medal of Valor to Sgt. Dan Kravanis and Sgt. Steve Lindh for actions during a nearly 30‑hour hostage incident in December 2012 that, the department said, helped separate a hostage from an armed suspect and permitted a safe rescue. Video and descriptions of the incident were replayed for council.
Officer Bryan Miller, Officers Philip Onysyk and D'Onofrio, Sgt. Kravanis and others received Police Star awards for multiple 2021 incidents, including a pursuit that ended in a vehicle striking a utility pole and a follow‑up scene in which officers administered medical aid to a woman with a neck wound. Miller and Onysyk were also cited with Life‑Saving Medals for providing emergency care at the scene. Auxiliary officer Michael Madej received the Valorous Conduct Award for civilian action.
Officer Andrew Fischer was presented the Combat Cross for returning rifle fire and stopping an armed suspect during a June 2021 barricaded‑gunman event. The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and a SEB chief’s panel later determined the officers’ actions to be reasonable and within applicable policy, the department said.
The final award recognized Officer Michael Percun for an off‑duty rescue on Jan. 18, 2024: according to the department, Percun entered a burning garage and removed a young child, an action credited with saving the child’s life and for which he received the Life‑Saving Award. Parma PD and Parma Heights FD responded to the fire and treated Percun for smoke inhalation, the report said.
Chief Czack praised the officers and thanked council for supporting a new, formal awards program the department developed to recognize critical thinking and valor in high‑stress incidents. Safety Director Scharschmidt said the city plans to make the joint police‑fire awards an annual event.
