Metro East Sun

The Collinsville City Council at a recent meeting recognized one of the city’s retiring firefighters and welcomed three new first responders to their city staff.

Firefighter Mike Harris was recognized for his twenty-two years in the department, having started in February of 2001. He has had multiple certificates and awards throughout his career, highlighting excellence, education, and multiple rescues of an individual from a burning building. His supervisor spoke about his character and strength as a firefighter, very sad to see him leave the force.

“This is kind of a sad day for me,” Fire Chief John Bailot said during the March 14 meeting. “This young man who started working on the shift that I was working on. I kind of took him under my wing and he showed me what a real firefighter was.” 

Harris was recognized for his dedication to being both a firefighter and an EMS paramedic. Harris thanked the council and community, and the firefighters who attended to honor his retirement.

The council welcomed a new firefighter, Brendan Heaton, who was sworn in to fill the hole left by Harris. His wife pinned his new badge on him and Mayor John Miller issued his oath, telling him he was joining a great department and he’d be like one of the family. Miller said he was speaking from experience since he served in the fire department before his time as mayor.

The council also celebrated the addition of two new police officers. The mayor welcomed Stuart Patterson and Guiseppi Coppotelli, who were sworn in previously at a ceremony at the police department in front of their families and fellow officers. 

Patterson served in the St. Louis Police Department for several years, making his way to Collinsville as he felt the need to directly serve a community. Coppotelli grew up in Collinsville and graduated from high school, and his father was also a supervisor in the police department before his retirement. Both were excited to join the department and thanked the mayor for their recognition.