LINDENHURST, NY – The Town of Babylon recently issued a proclamation to recognize Lindenhurst native and FDNY Lieutenant Justin Hespeler for his heroic actions, rescuing an infant in a Brooklyn blaze back in November of 2021.
Hespeler was born and raised in Lindenhurst, and is a 1997 graduate of Lindenhurst High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and served in 2nd FAST Company in Yorktown, Virginia and then 3rd Battalion 1st Marines India Co. in Camp Pendleton California, from 1997 -2003.
He then joined and served in the NYPD from July 2002 -September 2005 before joining the FDNY in 2005, working at Engine 310 and Ladder 174 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn for 16 years before being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
On May 17, 2023, Hespeler received the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor from President Biden at a ceremony in the White House. The Medal of Valor is the highest award that can be bestowed on a Public Safety Officer, and Hespeler was chosen to receive it for his heroic actions in November 2021 when he rescued a new born baby in a house fire in Brooklyn.
Councilmen Anthony Manetta and Terence McSweeney presented the proclamation on behalf of the Town, thanking Lieutenant Hespeler for his actions and congratulating him for the special recognition he received in Washington, D.C.