Christopher Ryan Is This Week’s Hometown Hero

It’s time once again for our Hometown Hero, brought to you by Batavia Downs Gaming with help from our friends at WNY Heroes who help us with our nominations every week.  This week, our Hometown Hero from Kenmore, NY served in the United States Army.  It’s Christopher Ryan!

He joined the United States Army as an Infantryman Soldier after graduating High School in 1988. He completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning GA at Sand Hill. After completing basic training,he served with the 10TH Mountain Light Infantry Division at Fort Drum, New York

While with the 10TH MTN Division, he completed stateside and overseas infantry based training to include in Germany, Desert Shield/Desert Storm from January 91- March 91, Light Maneuver Training at the United States Military Academy West Point, in New York. Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman in Panama. After being honorably discharged from the 10TH MTN Division, he joined the 2nd/108th Infantry Unit based out of Tonawanda, New York and served that unit from December 92 April 96.

He re-enlisted and received orders in April of 2004 to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. He was assigned with to the historical 1st/69th Infantry "Fighting Irish Brigade" which is part of the 42 Infantry Division. Chris deployed from to Iraq in Oct 04-Sept 05 and served in Baghdad during combat operations.

He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, US Army Commendation Medal, US Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), USA Good Conduct Medal (2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism and Overseas Service Bar (2nd award) and has several other awards for achievements and service.

Chris is now working as a police officer in the Town of Tonawanda. Earlier this month while he was off duty, he happened to roll up on a robbery of McDonalds in Tonawanda where he gave chase to the suspect and apprehended him while waiting for backup.   He was given a Commendation Award from the Police Chief for his actions to protect our community.

If you’d like to nominate your own Hometown Hero, click the button below.  We like to honor both active duty and veteran heroes from right here in Western New York.

Thanks once again to Christopher Ryan from the United States Army, our Hometown Hero of the week!