Pat Dolan receives first Jack Martorelli Award for his work with Guns ‘N Hoses

First responders honored at annual awards ceremony

By TIM ROWDEN
Managing Editor

Longtime Guns ‘N Hoses volunteer Pat Dolan, (Sprinkler Fitters Local 268 former president and Missouri AFL-CIO apprentice coordinator) received the first Jack Martorelli Memorial Award at the annual Guns ‘N Hoses Awards Banquet Thursday, May 12 during the annual Guns ‘N Hoses awards ceremony. It was an extra special celebration as Guns ‘N Hoses set a record, raising $1 million in 2021.

Started in 1987, Guns ‘N Hoses is an annual fundraising event, consisting of three-round boxing matches between area police officers and fire fighters held on Thanksgiving Eve to benefit the BackStoppers, an organization that provides immediate and long-term financial aid and other support to the families and loved ones of first responders killed in the line of duty in 18 counties in Missouri and Illinois.

Martorelli, a 53-year member of Operating Engineers Local 513 member, who served as the local’s president/business manager for 12 years and an IUOE international representative for seven years, was co-founder of the Guns ‘N Hoses annual boxing event.

‘VERY HUMBLING’
The award was presented by St. Louis Labor Council President Pat White, who serves on the Guns ‘N Hoses board of directors. White said he was honored to present Dolan the award recognizing his work.

“Jack was one of the founders of Guns ‘N Hoses,” Dolan said. “He dedicated his life to the cause of the BackStoppers. To be honored to receive this award is very humbling.”

Organizers also presented awards to public servants like St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory.

“Police officers, our profession is nothing without support from citizens,” Gregory said. “What citizens do outside of the profession, like what Guns ‘N Hoses does for the police department and first responders, is a great big deal for us.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
“A million dollars is a big achievement. To me, the real success is the amount of community support. People are making small donations, buying tickets. We have sponsors. We have volunteers. It’s really a community effort. That’s the heart and soul of Guns ‘N Hoses,” said David Stokes, the president of Guns ‘N Hoses.

“The amazing thing about the community is they step up when there is a need. Unfortunately, the need is still there, and they certainly stepped up for Guns ‘N Hoses and fundraisers for BackStoppers,” said BackStoppers president Ron Battelle, retired chief of the St. Louis County Police Department.

For more information about BackStoppers, visit: https://backstoppers.org.