WEBSTER, N.Y. – One of the victims of an ambush in upstate New York was a 20-year veteran volunteer firefighter with the West Webster Fire Department. The other was his son's best friend, who was just entering the fire service. Here's a look at the two men killed Monday when William Spengler set a fire to lure firefighters to his house and then opened fire on them when they arrived:
— Lt. Michael Chiapperini, 43, had been named Firefighter of the Year just two weeks ago, and he led the fire department's Explorer program for young people interested in becoming firefighters. He had recently taken vacation time to help recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported. He also was the public information officer for the Webster Police Department. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, who also worked with the fire department
— Tomasz Kaczowka, 19, was a 911 dispatcher for Monroe County. He also was a member of the Explorers group that Chiapperini advised, had worked at a fast-food restaurant and had been a member of the fire department for about a year. One of three brothers, he was studying at Monroe County Community College. On his Facebook page, he said he could speak Polish and German.
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