WATSONTOWN — That a fellow firefighter has been charged with setting the blaze that critically injured her firefighting husband has made it that much more difficult for Judy Hawley to accept.
“It makes it hurt more,” she said Saturday while attending a benefit barbecue for her husband, Wayne Hawley Jr. “It gives you a lot of mixed emotions. I don’t think it 100 percent sunk in yet.”
More than 800 people attended Saturday’s fundraiser for Hawley, 52, of Turbotville, who is recovering at the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia. The volunteer firefighter suffered a spinal injury from a falling beam at a Montour County barn fire Nov. 28.
A Montour County man and former member of the Washingtonville Fire Company was arraigned April 17 for setting that blaze and is a suspect in about 60 others.
Chester Allen Cyphers, 52, of 935 Whitehall Road, Danville, has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a firefighter, 11 counts of arson, burglary, causing or risking a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and simple assault.
He was arrested while setting a blaze in Lycoming County April 16. Montour County officials also believe Cyphers fought some of the fires that he intentionally set.
Veronica Irvine said Saturday there has been a sense of relief among the members of the Warrior Run Area Fire Department since Cyphers’ arrest.
“We are very happy that somebody has been found,” said Irvine, an emergency services staff member for the department. “When one of ours gets hurt, it affects the whole family.”
The benefit barbecue Saturday for the Hawleys was a prime example of that family of firefighters.
Mrs. Hawley said she hopes people remember that arsonist firefighters are a rarity.
“What’s that saying?” she asked. “One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole batch.”
Members of the Warrior Run Area Fire Department said 800 tickets had been sold and all 800 chicken halves were accounted for before 2 p.m. Despite selling out of chicken, there were still community members arriving for fresh-cut french fries, hot dogs, hamburgers and various desserts.
Firefighters from surrounding departments also attended the event to show their support.
“This whole thing has brought all of the fire companies in the area closer,” Mrs. Hawley said.
Her 26-year-old daughter, Meghann, who also attended the barbecue, said: “There’s not enough thank yous to go around.”
In addition to the barbecue, a dance was held Saturday night at the Warrior Run Fire Department’s social hall in Allenwood, with all proceeds going toward the Hawley family.
Money raised will most likely help the Hawleys purchase a handicapped-accessible van.
Her husband is anxious to come home, Mrs. Hawley says.
“He’s doing good,” she said. “He’s got his sense of humor, spirits are high, therapy is going great.”
E-mail comments to asmith@dailyitem.com
You can help
Donations to the Hawley Recovery Fund are being accepted at any Service First location in Danville, Lewisburg, Shamokin Dam, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. Donations may also be mailed to Hawley Recovery Fund, Service First Federal Credit Union, 1207 Bloom St., Danville, PA 17821.
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