Hudson Valley Fire Chief Honored for Stopping Domestic Stabbing

A Hudson Valley fire chief was honored for helping to stop a domestic stabbing on a train platform.

The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded its Carnegie medal to Christopher DePaoli. The Irvington Fire Chief is one of 23 to receive the hero award this year.

The Carnegie medal is given throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others

DePaoli rescued Deborah Henry from assault at an Irvington train platform in April 2015.

Henry, 36, was on the platform of a commuter train station when a man she previously had relations with approached and stabbed her repeatedly.

DePaoli was off-duty with his daughters when he witnessed the assault. At first the 53-year-old thought it was a robbery and he left his vehicle and started to intervene. After seeing the knife, he returned to his car for a softball bat.

With the bat in hand, he ran toward the assailant, threatening him. When the attacker then turned his attention to DePaoli, he stepped between him and Henry and helped get the attacker away from the victim.

Soon an off-duty police officer arrived and ordered the assailant to drop the knife. When he refused, a second officer stopped him and placed him under arrest.

Henry required hospitalization for treatment of serious stab wounds.

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