Larry Dombrowski, Chief (retired) of Erie Co. Detectives Bureau and President of the Northwester Police of Chiefs of PA, with Leach, and Youngsville Chief Todd Mineweaser.

It was back in April when Richard “Zip” Young suggested that Youngsville Police Officer Ben Leach and the borough’s fire chief, Vern Edmisten, have wings.

“I wouldn’t have lasted much longer,” he said of the pair who rescued him from his residence when it caught fire on April 3. “I’d have been a goner. They saved my life, as simple as that. I call them angels among us. You can’t see their wings, but they have them.”

Now one of them also has a medal — the first to ever be bestowed by the Northwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, according to Youngsville Police Chief Todd Mineweaser.

Officer Ben Leach was presented the Medal of Valor at the associations Christmas party on Saturday. The association has given out other awards but this was the first medal of valor to be presented, Mineweaser said.

“He’s humble and doesn’t like recognition,” Mineweaser said of Leach. “But it’s super important that people know that officers are out there doing good deeds too and not just arresting people. This was well-deserved.”

The fire broke out around 7 p.m. on April 3. Young was sound asleep.

Young told the Times Observer in April that his alarm was going off and his neighbors had been beating on the door trying to wake him.

Leach was first on the scene of the structure fire with entrapment, followed by Edmisten.

Leach saw Young’s truck parked at the residence. “I was told if his truck is there, he’s inside,” Leach told the Times Observer in April.

“I saw flames coming out through the front door,” he said. “I went around to the back and tried to get inside. Vern was right behind me.”

“The door was locked,” Leach said. “I kicked it in and went inside.”

Leach yelled and Young responded. He and Edmisten found Young in a back room and helped him escape the blaze.

The smoke was thick and it all happened quickly, according to Leach.

“I got a new lease on life,” Young said at a borough council meeting in April where he thanked his heroes. “I have another birthday and a lot of plans.”