HOULTON – Sheriff Jim Madore of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department has always known that his deputies and corrections officers are first rate – and having two of them recognized at the state level for their service this year has solidified that belief even further.

During a county commissioner’s meeting Tuesday evening, corrections Officer Tim Ivey of the Sheriff’s Department was lauded by the panel for being named Corrections Officer of the Year for 2006 by the Maine Sheriff’s Association.

Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Goff also was honored by commissioners for being recognized by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association for “outstanding contributions to law enforcement.”

The award was bestowed upon Goff in recognition of his heroic actions during a house fire in Limestone last February that claimed the lives of two adults and a child.

Goff was on duty when he saw the flames spewing from the 21/2-story wood-frame residence at 10 Huggard Lane in the early morning of Feb. 28. Although Goff didn’t see anyone around the building, there was a car in the driveway.

Goff tried in vain to wrestle open two doors, yelling and beating on them as he called out warnings to those inside. No one answered.

When he finally found a door that he could kick in, flames and hot air forced him back.

He continued yelling and had just kicked in another door when firefighters arrived.

Three people – Kelley Holmquist, 35, her 10-year-old son, Trevor Holmquist, and Alex McDougall, 38 – died in the blaze.

Investigators theorized that the two adults had been awakened by the fire and were attempting either to escape or reach the boy’s bedroom when they were overcome by smoke.

Goff was treated at Cary Medical Center for smoke inhalation shortly after the fire and returned to work that night.

Madore credited Goff for his actions at the scene, noting that the deputy disregarded his own personal safety during the rescue attempt.

“We are proud to have someone of Larry’s caliber working for our department,” he told commissioners.

Ivey, who has worked for the corrections division for more than 18 years, was hailed by Madore as a “jack of all trades” and a “selfless, loyal and dedicated” employee.

Ivey has several responsibilities, including serving as commissary officer and ensuring the smooth operation of phone and computer systems within the Aroostook County Jail.

Madore added that Ivey also was instrumental in the implementation of a new computer system within the jail and the training of employees on the system.

“He is definitely an asset to our department,” Madore said on Wednesday.