Whenever any member or officer of a paid or part-paid fire department or force shall be suspended or dismissed from his office, employment or position and such suspension or dismissal shall be judicially determined to be illegal, said member or officer shall be entitled to recover his salary from the date of such suspension or dismissal, provided a written application therefor shall be filed with the municipal clerk within 30 days after such judicial determination.
N.J.S. § 40A:14-23