Kevin Boozel recalls the dedication and kindness of a young fireman who had returned to retrieve a forgotten glove from Boozel's home after responding to a chimney fire several years ago.

Boozel, who is one of Butler County's three commissioners, chatted at length then with the Pine Township, Venango County, Volunteer Fire Department firefighter, whose father was the chief.

“He was just the nicest kid,” Boozel said.

Two days later, he was burned on duty and died in a burn unit a few days afterward.

Boozel has been a volunteer with the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department ever since, and he now wants to build a first responder picnic shelter and accompanying memorial to all first responders who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

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