Last Friday, fellow firefighters praised Lt. Lawrence T. Masa as a warrior, describing his fortitude in Iraq and his bravery for serving multiple tours of duty in the war-torn region.

Related Content: Video: Colleagues Express Shock | Video: Firefighter Accused | Images

On Tuesday, Orland Park police arrested Masa at the fire district's headquarters.

For almost two years, the 42-year-old Masa received his salary while his co-workers and employer, the Orland Fire Protection District, believed that he was in the military fighting the war on terror.

Masa was charged on Wednesday with Class 1 felony theft and official misconduct, according to a release from the Cook County State Attorney’s office.

"I don't know what else to tell you," said Orland Park Fire Protection District Chief Donald Bettenhausen. "We're shocked and we're disappointed."

If convicted, Masa could face up to 15 years in prison.

Residents in Morris, where Masa lives, said they were shocked at the allegations.

"With that kind of money to collect, how many people could use that legally?" asked one woman. "It's too bad that … he could do that."

Masa also worked for the Westmont Fire Department but did not receive any salary or benefits from that job during his supposed deployment, NBC5 Anita Padilla reported.

Westmont Fire Chief Frank Trout, who is a Vietnam War veteran, would not speak on camera, but said everyone was incredibly surprised by the allegations. Trout said Masa organized the department's honor guard and showed other firefighters how to properly fold the American flag.

"We're praying for a miracle or something to show he is a man of honor, that this is a bad dream," Trout said.

Judge Maura Slattery Boyle set a $100,000 bond for Mesa on Wednesday in Central Bond Court. Masa’s family posted bail and he was scheduled to be released sometime Wednesday afternoon, according a Cook County Sheriff’s office spokesman.

Padilla reported that Masa gave his employers forged documents allowing him to be paid from April 2003 to December 2006. Authorities said Masa's employers paid him $193,000 in salary and benefits. In addition, Masa made about $200,000 working for two private companies, authorities said.

"Anytime the taxpayers are defrauded, it's a serious matter," said Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy.

"The suspect said he had been called up to service when, in fact, he had not," Orland Park Police Commander Charles Doll said. "He was paid by the fire department while he was away."

Masa, of 105 Hickory Lane in Morris, Ill., had been on paid leave for "not quite two years," Doll said. "There are a number of different time frames in there right now."

Padilla reported that Masa has not been involved in the military since 1986.

Authorities would not specify where they believe Masa spent the nearly two years he claimed to have been deployed with the military.

As recently as last week, his co-workers were praising his courage and sacrifice. Over a lunch of chili Friday, fire officials at station No. 1 described Masa's unflinching commitment to serve his country.

One firefighter who was at the lunch said Tuesday night he was shocked to learn about the allegations against Masa.

"It was a big surprise," he said.

The firefighter said the district still only has sketchy details about the accusations against Masa.

"We don't know anything yet," he said.

Information Provided By The Daily Southtown

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