Chamber Auction Gala Honors Police & Firefighters

The Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce was transported to an "Evening In Paris" Friday night for the organization's annual dinner auction gala.

Local businesses donated items up for bid as well as experiences, like tours of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, the Creve Coeur Police Department or tickets to see the New York City Ballet.

The evening also served as a way to recognize the Police Officer and Firefighter Paramedic of the Year for the cities of Creve Coeur and Olivette. Here's what the evening's program said about the honorees:

Creve Coeur Fire Protection District: Paul Vessells, honored for his "tireless dedication to his profession both on and off duty and lengthy training and victorious win in a Guns n' Hoses boxing match that supports the Backstoppers Organization."

Creve Coeur Police Detective Thomas Rich, "is being honored for his 26 years of exemplary service and the investigation and solving of high profile cases last year including many residential burglaries and coordinating a retail sting operation where high-end camera equipment was seized."

Olivette Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Justin Schulte for his "eagerness to go above and beyond the call of duty and the enormous time commitment and talent he made towards purchasing structural firefighting equipment for the department."

Olivette Police Detective Edward Delaney "is being honored for his 14 years of exemplary service including his pursuit and capture of armed burglary suspets in September 2012 and his dedication to younger officers as a Field Training Officer."

Check out our photos from the evening. If you have any you'd like to share, go right ahead.