Two Buffalo State College University Police Officers have received SUNY Police Awards for Heroism - the State University of New York's highest award for heroism - as a result of their actions in the Dec. 7, 2002 fire in the Tower 3 residence hall.

Lt. Peter Carey and Officer Daniel Harris were the first to arrive at the scene of the working fire and explosion that took place on the eighth floor of the 10-story dormitory. Both entered the smoke-filled building to assist in the safe evacuation of about 100 resident students and location and removal of an injured student. Although both suffered from smoke inhalation during the multiple-alarm fire, their actions saved numerous lives and limited the damage to the involved floor rather than the entire building, according to University Police Chief Roger Wisniewski.

Wisniewski said Carey also initiated the college's Emergency Response Plan -establishing a command post and staging area for emergency responders, as well as a temporary assembly area for displaced resident students.

The awards for heroism were presented at a banquet on Apr. 15 during the SUNY Police Chiefs Association Spring Conference in Albany.