2 honored for saving girl's life

The child is now healthy, her parents said.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
PULASKI, Pa. -- MacKenzie Palmer sheepishly walked to the front of the room, hugging her brown teddy bear.
The 6-year-old Pulaski Township girl was going to meet the two men who saved her life two months ago.
Pulaski Township Police Officer Chad Adams and neighbor Damion DeRobbio pulled MacKenzie from her burning house April 22 on Thompson Lane, just off Pa. Route 551.
Both were honored Monday morning by Pulaski Township supervisors and Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino.
"We, as township supervisors, are very, very proud of the work people do here, from the township secretary, to the road crew to the police. Today we have the opportunity to say thanks to one of our officers and a citizen who have gone above and beyond the call of duty," said Lewis Grell, chairman of the board of supervisors.
What happened
The fire was first noticed around 3 a.m. April 22 by MacKenzie's mother, Michelle DeVite. DeVite was able to get out of the house with her son, 16-month-old Frankie DeVite, but could not reach MacKenzie's room where she was sleeping.
DeRobbio heard DeVite's screams and ran from his house. Adams had just gone off duty when he heard the call and rushed to the house.
Adams grabbed a shovel, and DeRobbio picked up a lawn chair to smash open the child's window, according to DeRobbio. DeRobbio then climbed in and pulled MacKenzie from the smoke-filled room. Adams did cardiopulmonary resuscitation to help her breath.
DeVite said her daughter's health is now back to normal.
"She's doing well. Her lungs are clear," DeVite said. The family is living in an apartment near New Wilmington until their home is rebuilt.
MacKenzie's father, Josh Palmer, and stepmother, Trish Palmer, say they are grateful to DeRobbio and Adams for saving her life.
"It's a call you hope you never get," Trish Palmer said of the fire. "MacKenzie is well physically. She's a strong and spirited little girl."
Adams was surprised by the honor, only being told to attend the meeting because there might be trouble, he said. DeRobbio said he was told of the honor only after refusing to attend Monday because he had to work.
"I'm glad of the outcome," Adams said of MacKenzie's recovery. "I don't consider myself a hero, just a police officer who did what was expected of me."
cioffi@vindy.com