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Wilton Swears In New Lieutenant In Fire Department

WILTON, Conn. -- A Wilton firefighter who received a Medal of Valor for saving the life of a person trapped in a burning car in 2012 was promoted to lieutenant Monday.

Newly promoted Wilton Fire Department Lt. Jeffery Locher with, from left daughter Jacqueline, sister Melinda Locher McCreary and his wife Tracy. He was sworn in on Monday.

Newly promoted Wilton Fire Department Lt. Jeffery Locher with, from left daughter Jacqueline, sister Melinda Locher McCreary and his wife Tracy. He was sworn in on Monday.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern

Lt. Jeffery Locher said he's looking forward to his new responsibilities and praised his fellow firefighters at the Wilton Police Department.

"It's a huge responsibility. But again knowing the quality of the guys you have around you makes all the difference," he said after the ceremony. "You are just kind trying to steer the ship, making sure everybody is safe and OK and doing things the right way. It's the quality of a good officer is being able to use the people around you to get the work done. I am only as good as those guys."

Wilton Fire Chief Ronald Kanterman said becoming a lieutenant means that Locher will have to think "multidimensional while multitasking" as he leads a firefighting team. But Kanterman said Locher is up to the job.

"Not an easy feat by any means, however, it's apparent he has the experience, the drive and the talent to pull it all together," Kanterman said.

Locher, 49, a Norwalk native who took the test to become a Firefighter Class 1 in Wilton about 20 years ago, began his professional career in Greenwich 18 years ago. He moved to the Wilton Fire Department about 15 years ago.

His first lieutenant in Greenwich, now Greenwich Fire Department Assistant Chief Robert Kick, attended the ceremony. He had high praise for Locher.

"In Greenwich, he was a great officer, and Wilton is very lucky to be able to get him into the officer ranks," Kick said of Locher. "He is very meticulous. And he takes care of his people, and he gets the job done."

He said Locher was always a very involved officer in Greenwich, throwing himself into his responsibilities whether it was a fire, car accident or a health emergency.

"If I was ever to fall ill, I'd be happy to look up and see Jeff standing above me," Kick said.

Locher and his wife Tracy have three daughters: Jacqueline, 15, Kelsey, 13, and Madison,10. They live in Wilton.

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