Ben Cypher is part of a special cadre of Butler County volunteer firefighters who everyone can look up to.

Cypher has dedicated 50 years of his life to service with the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company; he currently is ladder captain.

But his service isn't confined to his fire company duties. He also has worked with the emergency training program at Butler County Community College, and he continues to actively encourage younger individuals to become volunteer firefighters — an important function as many departments try to deal with diminishing member ranks.

The recognition that Cypher has been receiving recently is certainly deserved — from his local fire company, from the college and from the Butler County commissioners.

It is to be hoped that Cypher remains a fixture in Butler County's volunteer firefighting ranks for many years to come.