“Names of longtime firefighter, police sergeant added to Brownstown Wall of Fame”.
The Brownstown Township Wall of Fame 
now has two new names to add to its esteemed list of honorees.
With 44 years of experience under his belt, former firefighter/medic Larry McCray hung up his hat and put away his boots last year, but a lasting memory of his contributions was made permanent with his name being added to the wall.
Likewise, retired police Sgt. Paul Kolonich’s name also was engraved on the wall after closing out a stellar career in law enforcement.
Kolonich retired in April and had 29 years of service with the Police Department.
The wall was constructed to honor those in the public safety industry who retire.
Although McCray’s career dates back more than 40 years, his history with the department started in 1970, when he was a volunteer firefighter/emergency medical technician.
He was promoted through the ranks and eventually became a captain.
McCray was one of the original 20 members of the full-time department formed in 2000. He earned his paramedic’s license a year later.
Township Fire Chief Jeff Drouillard was on hand at the ceremony, noting that McCray was one of the first members of the Honor Guard.
In speaking about McCray, Drouillard also said he was a fire and paramedic instructor, teaching part time at Wayne County Community College.
When McCray retired, he had 14 years of full-time experience with the township.
“During those many years of service, Larry has committed several thousand hours to Brownstown, its community and its citizens,” Drouillard said.
Although McCray lives out of state and was unable to attend, members of his family were there to represent him.
The former firefighter will be given a U.S. flag that flew outside one of the fire stations where he served.
One of the things Kolonich is most noted for is starting the department’s Gang Resistance Education Training program in 1998.
According to James Sclater, public safety director, Kolonich is responsible for graduating about 15,000 students, starting the department’s File of Life program and organizing the police open house events.
source: thenewsherald.com