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Recognizing Four Individuals for Life-Saving Response to Madawaska House Fire

MADAWASKA, Maine – March 9, 2024 – Four individuals in Madawaska were acknowledged by the police for their life-saving efforts in February. In the image, Madawaska Sgt. Sam Deschaine, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office Communication Specialist Cheyenne Finemore, Madawaska Officer Seth Querze, Madawaska Police Chief Jamie Pelletier, Madawaska Officer Xavier Denis, and Madawaska citizen Asa Hayes are featured from left to right. Finemore, Querze, Denis, and Hayes were all recognized for their actions. (Courtesy of the Madawaska Police Department)


MADAWASKA, Maine – The heroic actions of four individuals who played a crucial role in saving a woman’s life last month were acknowledged by Madawaska Police Chief Jamie Pelletier.

During the ceremony held at the town office on Saturday, Madawaska police officers Seth Querze and Xavier Denis, Madawaska resident Asa Hayes, and dispatcher Cheyenne Finemore were honored.

Pelletier recounted to the audience that on the day of the incident, officers Querze and Denis were tasked with managing traffic. Upon their arrival, they were met with a distressing scene – a small two-story house engulfed in flames and smoke.

After speaking with Hayes, who indicated that two individuals might still be inside the burning house, Denis attempted to access the south side entrance while Querze engaged with the neighbors. Querze, using his flashlight, identified a figure by the front door.

Pelletier explained, “Diana Levesque managed to reach the front door but was obstructed by snow and ice blocking the outward-swinging storm door.”

Without hesitation, Querze leaped over the snowbank, braving the snow-covered path to reach the door. With combined efforts, they managed to open the door and found Diana Levesque unconscious. Hayes joined in to assist in moving her to safety.

During the rescue, Hayes got his leg trapped under the door, and the looming danger of low-hanging power lines added to the urgency of the situation.

Pelletier described the harrowing scene, stating, “The men faced overwhelming smoke and intense heat as they worked to rescue Mrs. Levesque.”

Tragically, Diana’s brother, Gary Levesque, could not be saved from the fire’s devastation.

Both officers sustained burns and were promptly taken to the Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent for treatment of smoke inhalation before being discharged.

Pelletier highlighted Finemore’s pivotal role in dispatching the officers despite limited initial information, commending her intuition that led to the successful rescue.

Recognizing their valor, Pelletier presented the officers with a distinctive pin symbolizing their life-saving actions.

“These pins are worn by officers as a testament to their life-saving efforts,” Pelletier remarked as he awarded the first pin to Officer Querze. “This pin will be a constant reminder throughout his career.”