Police Chief James Viadero this week lauded the efforts of Police Officer William Chapman, 33, who while off-duty and attending church services on Sunday, June 11, in Waterbury, participated in the rescue of people from a house next door to the church, which had caught fire and was burning intensely.

There were no injuries in the fire. Four adults and six children were in the house when the fire occurred.

Ofc Chapman, who joined the police department in January 2008, is the department's school resource officer at Newtown Middle School. Ofc Chapman declined to be interviewed for this story, referring comments on the matter to Chief Viadero.

"Will is an officer who exemplifies professionalism and courage. He continually represents this department in an exemplary manner. I can tell you, he is quite humble," Chief Viadero said in a statement.

"We are very fortunate to have him as an officer with this agency. And I am honored to work with him on a day-to-day basis. It's officers like him that truly represent all that is good in law enforcement," the police chief added.