Left to right: VFW Commander Les Smith, Lt. Patrick Weishaar, Fire Chief Ted Graf, and Junior Vice-Commander Fred Gage.

(KAIR)--Firefighter of the year.

That distinction is earned by Atchison Fire Department Lieutenant Patrick Weishaar, named with the honor by Atchison's VFW Post 1175. “I’m very honored, surprised.” Weishaar said. “It was a big surprise when they came in with a box of donuts and statue with the plaque on it and proceeded to tell me they had an award for firefighter of the year.”

The award, for 2016, was presented by Commander Les Smith and Junior Vice-Commander Fred Gage Monday.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf says Weishaar deserves the recognition, nominated in part for the internal efforts of assistance he provided following last year's retirement of longtime Fire Chief Mike McDermed. “With the departure and retirement of our account clerk and of our fire chief, this left a big hole in our department,” said Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf. “Pat was very instrumental in helping us getting the administrative side of our department figured out. It’s not so much about always what that individual does on an emergency scene, for example, it’s what they do behind the scenes as well. And that’s truly what makes Pat stand out.”

Weishaar began working for the Atchison Fire Department in 1999, serving in the role of lieutenant since 2011. “Guys I work with, co-workers, it’s kind of a team, kind of a family,” Weishaar said. “That’s probably the biggest motivation to come into work. But, I like the job, the calls we go on and helping the community. It’s a very rewarding job.”

VFW Post 1175 each year selects a Firefighter of the Year and a Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. That honor went to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie last month.