Dewey Beach mayor recognizes DBP lifeguards
Dewey Beach Mayor Bill Stevens recognized several members of the Dewey Beach Patrol, including 2025 Lifeguard of the Year Liam Zolper, Aug. 30.
“The Town of Dewey Beach is proud of the team that Capt. [Todd] Fritchman has assembled,” Stevens said.
Senior Lt. Zolper, a nine-year DBP veteran, has been directly responsible for several emergency medical responses and open-water rescues throughout his tenure, helping to save lives and prevent serious injury. This summer, he responded to many serious medical incidents, several of which were so traumatic that if he hadn’t been there within 30 seconds, the person would have likely died, according to Capt. Fritchman.
Zolper also serves as coordinator of the Junior Lifeguard Program, mentoring the town’s next generation of lifeguards.
He participated in the same program when he was just 5 or 6. His grandfather, his father and his uncle — Town Manager Bill Zolper — also used to serve as lifeguards, so Liam grew up familiar with that realm.
Stevens and DBP also recognized seven-year veteran lifeguard Chris Conaway, a close runner-up for the peer-selected title of Lifeguard of the Year, for his outstanding performance as an open-water rescue professional. According to DBP, he’s executed several major rescues in recent seasons and serves as a role model for younger members.
“Both Liam and Chris embody the courage, skill and teamwork that define the Dewey Beach Patrol,” said Town Manager Bill Zolper in a release. “Their dedication to the safety of our beachgoers and their commitment to excellence inspire the entire staff.”
The town extended its congratulations and appreciation to both members.
Also honored were Kolbe Green, the beach flag and beach sprint U19 lifesaving national champion; Kyle Green, the beach flag U19 national champion runner-up; and Lawson Whaley, a member of the DBP’s national champion 4-by-100 sprint relay team. Kolbe and Kyle were both invited to compete in the 2025 International Surf Rescue Challenge in New Zealand in November.
The DBP will conclude its seasonal services Monday, Sept. 8, and is looking forward to the 2026 summer season.
Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.
