(La Porte County, IN) - A local firefighter has received one of the highest state honors.

 

Mick Pawlik was chief of the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years before stepping down in February.

 

 

 

Pawlik received the Circle of Corydon, the second highest civilian award issued by the governor for remarkable contributions that have bettered Indiana and demonstrating qualities exemplified by the state’s greatest citizens.

 

Warren Smith, who was assistant fire chief under Pawlik for about the past decade, said the honor is well deserved.

 

“When something bad was happening in the community, he dropped everything that he was doing and he would be there.  That’s in his personal life, too.   If you needed help from the guy, he’d stop what was he was doing and come over and help you.  That’s just the kind of person he is,” he said.

 

Pawlik along with Smith, who stepped down as assistant chief at the same time, remain on the department as volunteer firefighters.  “It’s just time.  We’re both starting to get up there in age and it’s time for a younger generation of people to start stepping up to the plate,” he said.

 

State Representative Randy Novak of Michigan City helped present the award to Pawlik, who he has known for about 50-years.  “You would be hard-pressed to find someone who is more deserving of the Circle of Corydon,” he said.

 

Michael Lusco, a veteran of the department, is now the fire chief.