Local News in Brief : 46-Year Fireman Honored
The city firefighter with the longest tenure on the force has been named 1987 Firefighter of the Year in a ceremony at the Los Angeles Police Academy.
In 46 years on the fire lines, Neil R. (Smiley) Wallace, 70, has never missed a shift because of illness, officials said.
The award cited his “outstanding qualities of service, dedication and professionalism.”
Wallace, who continues to work in the field, said he won’t be ready to retire for a few more years.
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