New Martinsville ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Capt. Donald Larsen, left, Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Darrell Lambert are shown at the GovernorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Office at the Capitol in Charleston on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Morrisey presented the West Virginia Medal of Valor to Larsen, of the New Martinsville, Wetzel County, department, and Lambert, a firefighter with the Lake Volunteer Fire Department in Logan County.
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New Martinsville ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Capt. Donald Larsen, left, Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Darrell Lambert are shown at the GovernorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Office at the Capitol in Charleston on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Morrisey presented the West Virginia Medal of Valor to Larsen, of the New Martinsville, Wetzel County, department, and Lambert, a firefighter with the Lake Volunteer Fire Department in Logan County.
CHARLESTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Two first responders were awarded the West Virginia Medal of Valor on Thursday by Gov. Patrick Morrisey at the GovernorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Office in the West Virginia Capitol in Charleston.
In February 2021, Darrell Lambert, a firefighter with the Lake Volunteer Fire Department in Logan County, was driving his personal vehicle when he was notified of a house fire. Lambert arrived on the scene within two minutes.
After learning a woman was trapped inside the house, Lambert entered the burning building without firefighting gear. He rescued the victim while sustaining burns to his head, face and neck.
Lambert has been with the department for 39 years, Morrisey said.
The West Virginia Medal of Valor, created in 2020, is awarded to first responders for actions that go beyond the call of duty to protect human life. A state Honor Board recommends candidates to receive the honor.
Also receiving the Medal of Valor Thursday was Capt. Donald Larsen, a 42-year veteran of the New Martinsville ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Department in Wetzel County.
On Jan. 4, 2008, then-Patrolman Larsen responded to a welfare check for a residence in New Martinsville. Upon arrival, he found two people on the floor, not moving. Larsen made entry into the residence and removed the unconscious people, who later recovered.
An investigation found the residence was filled with carbon monoxide fumes at the time Larsen rescued the occupants.
Both men were officially recognized Wednesday in .
