2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
United States Fire Administration
Despite continued advances in
firefighting equipment, Incident
Command System training,
operations and safety training and
improved communications, 117
firefighters died in the line of duty in
the United States in 2004.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty (20) firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
There were a total of 104 incidents that took the life of a firefighter in 2004:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, comprised 36 deaths.
Volunteer, seasonal, and part-time firefighters accounted for 81 deaths.
Half of the firefighters that died in 2004 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns,
drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. The balance of firefighter deaths in 2004
were attributed to non-traumatic injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. Heart attacks caused
the deaths of 49 on-duty firefighters.
Nine (9) firefighters died in 2004 in response to wildland fires (grass, trees, brush).
Three (3) firefighters were killed when fire apparatus were backed over them.
Five (5) firefighters were killed when struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
Four (4) firefighters were killed in falls from fire department vehicles.
One (1) firefighter was shot and killed as she approached an emergency that involved domestic
violence.
Twenty (20) firefighters died in vehicle collisions.
– Seven (7) of these deaths involved the crash of the firefighter's personal vehicle.
– Three (3) firefighters died in aircraft crashes.
– Five (5) firefighters died in crashes that involved responding fire apparatus.
The average age of firefighters killed while on-duty in 2004 was 47. The average age of a
firefighter that died of a heart attack or stroke was 52; the average age of firefighters who died of
traumatic injuries was 42.
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Classification
Career
Wild land Full-Time
Part-Time (Paid)
Paid-on-Call
Volunteer
Wild land Part-Time
Wild land Contract
36
4
2
2
68
2
3
Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents: 3
Wild land Firefighter Fatalities: 20
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Type of Duty
Responding
Training
On-Scene Fire
On-Scene Non-Fire
After
Other On-Duty
Returning
17
13
30
11
23
18
5
Percent of Fatalities Related to
Emergency Duty: 68.3%
Number of firefighter fatalities
associated with suspicious / arson
fires: 3
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Type of Incident
Wild land
Structure Fire
MVA
Hazmat
Vehicle Fire
EMS
Outside Fire
False Alarm
Not Incident Related
Other
Unknown
14
31
12
2
3
7
1
3
31
12
1
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Cause of Fatal Injury
Caught/Trapped
Fall
Stress / Overexertion
Exposure
Collapse
Struck by
Vehicle Collision
Lost
Other
7
4
66
1
6
10
21
1
1
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Nature of Fatal Injury
Asphyxiation
Fall
Crushed
Burns
CVA
Trauma
Drowning
Heart Attack
Other
8
1
7
2
2
29
2
61
3
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Age of Firefighter When the Fatal Injury Was Sustained
Under 21
21 to 25
26 to 30
31 to 40
41 to 50
51 to 60
61 and Over
6
4
2
13
29
31
22
Firefighter Fatalities Under Age 40 -24.8%
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Type of Activity
Search & Rescue
Setup
Incident Command
Advance Hose Lines
Standby
Ventilation
Responding
Support
Pump Ops
Water Supply
Scene Safety
Not Incident Related
Not On Scene
Other
EMS/Patient Care
Unknown
5
1
4
14
3
1
17
2
1
2
7
23
14
4
4
15
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Time of Fatal Injury
0100-0259
0300-0459
0500-0659
0700-0859
0900-1059
1100-1259
1300-1459
1500-1659
1700-1859
1900-2059
2100-2259
2300-0059
Unknown
2
1
4
11
13
7
12
15
20
14
6
6
6
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Month of the Year
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
9
11
17
12
7
8
6
11
10
9
7
10
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Firefighter Fatalities by State of Fire Service Organization
1 Alaska 0.85%
3 Alabama 2.56%
1 Arkansas 0.85%
1 Arizona 0.85%
5 California 4.27%
2 Colorado 1.70%
1 Connecticut 0.85%
5 Florida 4.27%
3 Georgia 2.56%
2 Iowa 1.70%
2 Idaho 1.70%
7 Illinois 5.98%
1 Indiana 0.85%
3 Kansas 2.56%
8 Kentucky 6.83%
1 Louisiana 0.85%
2 Massachusetts 1.70%
2 Maryland 1.70%
1 Michigan 0.85%
4 Missouri 3.41%
3 Mississippi 2.56%
1 Montana 0.85%
3 North Carolina 2.56%
1 North Dakota 0.85%
2 Nebraska 1.70%
1 New Hampshire 0.85%
6 New Jersey 5.12%
1 New Mexico 0.85%
4 New York 3.41%
3 Ohio 2.56%
1 Oklahoma 0.85%
1 Oregon 0.85%
18 Pennsylvania 15.3%
1 Rhode Island 0.85%
4 South Carolina 3.41%
2 Tennessee 1.70%
4 Texas 3.41%
1 Utah 0.85%
2 Virginia 1.70%
1 Washington 0.85%
2 Wisconsin 1.70%
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Firefighter Fatalities by State of Fatal Incident
1 Alaska 0.85%
2 Alabama 1.70%
2 Arkansas 1.70%
2 Arizona 1.70%
5 California 4.27%
2 Colorado 1.70%
1 Connecticut 0.85%
7 Florida 5.98%
3 Georgia 2.56%
2 Iowa 1.70%
1 Idaho 0.85%
6 Illinois 5.12%
1 Indiana 0.85%
3 Kansas 2.56%
8 Kentucky 6.83%
1 Louisiana 0.85%
2 Massachusetts 1.70%
2 Maryland 1.70%
1 Michigan 0.85%
4 Missouri 3.41%
2 Mississippi 1.70%
1 Montana 0.85%
3 North Carolina 2.56%
1 North Dakota 0.85%
2 Nebraska 1.70%
1 New Hampshire 0.85%
6 New Jersey 5.12%
1 New Mexico 0.85%
4 New York 3.41%
3 Ohio 2.56%
1 Oklahoma 0.85%
1 Oregon 0.85%
18 Pennsylvania 15.3%
1 Rhode Island 0.85%
4 South Carolina 3.41%
2 Tennessee 1.70%
4 Texas 3.41%
1 Utah 0.85%
2 Virginia 1.70%
1 Washington 0.85%
2 Wisconsin 1.70%
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Leslie W. Gant, Jr.
Winslow Township Fire Dept.
Sicklerville, New Jersey
1/8/2004
Lieutenant Gant had returned to the station after
working an accident scene on the Atlantic
City Expressway. At the station he
complained of dizziness and left to rest at
home. His family later took him to the
hospital where he was diagnosed as having
suffered a stroke from which he passed
away four days later.
Richard Allen Jones
Maryland Line Fire Protective Association, Inc.
Maryland Line, Maryland
1/15/2004
Firefighter Jones had responded to an MVA
involving an overturned propane truck. After
returning to the station, he went home to
sleep. He was found deceased the next
morning at home. Probable heart attack.
Derrick T. Harvey
Philadelphia Fire Department
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1/15/2004
Lieutenant Harvey was seriously injured and
burned when he fell through the first floor of
a residential structure and was left hanging
from the joists over the basement where the
fire originated. Other companies initiated
rescue efforts and extricated Lt. Derrick from
the row house. He was transported to Albert
Einstein Medical Center via PFD Medic Unit
then transferred to Temple University
Hospital Burn Unit where he died from
injuries received. The Philadelphia Fire
Department Fire Marshall has determined
the cause of the fire to be combustibles too
close to a fixed heater.
Raymond L. Peterman
Los Angeles Fire Department
California
1/17/2004
Heart attack at brush fire.
Charles ‘Charlie’ T. Hatch, Jr.
West Bridgewater Fire Dept.
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
1/21/2004
Keith Alan Firment
Marguerite Volunteer Fire Co.
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
1/22/2004
After returning from a structure fire, Captain
Firment became ill at home and was taken
to the hospital where he died of an apparent
heart attack.
Kevin M. Shea
Elsmere Fire Department
Elsmere, New York
1/24/2004
Chief Shea collapsed at the firehouse after
returning from an alarm at a local nursing
home and subsequently passed away of an
apparent heart attack.
David Andrew Mackie
Orange City Fire Department
Orange City, Florida
1/27/2004
Aortic Valve Stenosis while in training.
Jean L. Nuckols
Navy Regional Fire Rescue, Hampton Roads
Norfolk, Virginia
1/31/2004
Firefighter Nuckols died while on-duty at the
firehouse of a cause still to be determined.
Michael E. Lynch
Penrose Volunteer Fire Dept.
Penrose, Colorado
2/3/2004
On February 3, 2004 at 1742hrs, the Penrose
Volunteer Fire Department was working the
scene of a roll-over motor vehicle crash with
injuries on Highway 50 near Highway 115.
While directing traffic at the scene,
Firefighter Lynch was struck by an
automobile. While enroute to St. Thomas
Moore Hospital in Canon City, Firefighter
Lynch died from the injuries he sustained.
Glenn Galderisi
Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Department No. 3
Wayne, New Jersey
2/4/2004
Firefighter Galderisi died from an apparent heart
attack in Fire Company 3's firehouse after
re-packing fire hose that shifted during his
earlier response to false alarm.
Brenda D. Cowan
Lexington Fire Department
Lexington, Kentucky
2/13/2004
Lt. Cowan was hit and killed by gunfire while
responding to an emergency medical
assistance call.
Robert E. ’Bobby’ Heminger
Wood River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Wood River, Nebraska
2/15/2004
Captains Heminger and Woitalewicz died as a
result of injuries sustained while searching a
burning residence for an occupant when the
roof collapsed trapping them.
Ernest ‘Ernie’ Heatherman
Brisben Fire Department
Brisben, New York
2/16/2004
Fire Police Captain Heatherman had returned to
the station following a call mutual aid fire call
and complained about not feeling well and
was returning home to rest. Approximately
an hour later Heatherman’s wife called 911
because he was having a heart attack.
Attempts by emergency medical personnel
to revive Hetherman failed and he was
pronounced dead at Wilson Memorial
Regional Medical Center a short time later.
Kenneth A. ‘Kenny’ Woitalewicz
Wood River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Wood River, Nebraska
2/17/2004
Captains Woitalewicz and Heminger died as a
result of injuries sustained while searching a
burning residence for an occupant when the
roof collapsed trapping them.
Steve W. Fierro
Carthage Fire Department
Carthage, Missouri
2/18/2004
Pending Autopsy
Elliott Davis, Jr.
Gloster Rural Vol. Fire Dept.
Gloster, Mississippi
2/22/2004
Fire Commissioner Davis was operating a 1997
GMC C-8500 town-owned fire truck headed
to a grass fire. The apparatus, reportedly
traveling at an estimated 50 to 55 mph,
swerved to avoid oncoming traffic and left
the roadway to the right, over-corrected, ran
off the roadway to the left, over-corrected a
second time, causing the vehicle to roll over
due to weight shifting back and forth. The
apparatus made three-quarters of a flip and
came to rest lying on its passenger side.
Davis was partially ejected and died at the
scene from massive head trauma. Neither
Davis nor another firefighter riding in the
apparatus and sent to the hospital for
observation were wearing seat belts.
Bret Eugene Neff
Harford Fire Department
Harford, New York
2/23/2004
Deputy Fire Chief Neff died of severe internal
trauma injuries to the abdominal region that
he received when while working to fill a 750gallon portable water pond from a tanker
truck, it rolled back, collapsing the nearly full
water pond and pinning Neff against another
apparatus. According to reports, the tanker
driver said he accidentally released the
emergency brake as he got out of the
vehicle.
Richard ‘Rich’ L. Gabrielli
George G. McMurtry Vol. F. D.
Vandergrift, Pennsylvania
2/23/2004
While performing fire police functions on the
scene of a working fire at the Vandergrift
plant of Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation,
Firefighter Gabrielli collapsed and died from
a cause still to be determined.
Edward P. ‘Eddie’ Conricote
Liberty Township Fire Dept.
Youngstown, Ohio
2/23/2004
Firefighter Conricote died from a cause still to be
determined while pulling hose off of the back
of the apparatus while working a residential
structure fire.
Edward 'Eddie' O. Peters
Florida Division of Forestry
Tallahassee, Florida
3/3/2004
Forest Ranger Peters was killed on his way to
conduct a controlled burn when the brush
patrol truck he was operating left the
roadway and overturned after hitting a
culvert and coming to rest on its roof. He
was wearing his seatbelt.
Mark E. Miller
Laconia Fire Department
Laconia, New Hampshire
3/11/2004
Firefighter Miller drowned during a training
accident while testing new dive suits.
Richard A. Stefanakis
Pittsburgh Fire Bureau
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
3/13/2004
Firefighter Stefanakis and Battalion Chief Brace
were killed and many others injured when
the bell tower of a church collapsed on them
while they were inside extinguishing
remaining hot spots.
Robert Griffin
Vol. Fire Dept. of Prospect
Prospect, Connecticut
3/13/2004
Probationary Firefighter Griffin died from an
apparent heart attack while going through a
training house, without the use of live fire, at
the Wolcott State Fire School.
Mario F. Cunha
Soledad Fire Department
Soledad, California
3/13/2004
Firefighter Cunha was struck and killed in the
roadway by a passing vehicle at the scene
of an automobile fire.
Charles G. Brace
Pittsburgh Fire Bureau
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
3/13/2004
Battalion Chief Brace and Firefighter Stefanakis
were killed and many others injured when
the bell tower of a church collapsed on them
while they were inside extinguishing
remaining hot spots.
James E. Towell
National Aviation Office (NAO)
Boise, Idaho
3/16/2004
Died in an aircraft crash near Safford, AZ, while
training at the BLM's Single-Engine Air
Tanker (SEAT) Pilot Academy.
Barrie J. Niebergall
Red, White and Blue Fire Dept.
Breckenridge, Colorado
3/16/2004
While on-duty, Driver Operator Niebergall went
to the workout room at the fire station to
exercise at 2230hrs. At approximately
2330hrs, his Lieutenant went to locate
Niebergall and found him dead on the floor
of the workout room. Driver Operator
Niebergall was a 24-year veteran of the fire
service, previously serving with the Lake
Dillon Fire Department.
Victor Scott
Otter Creek Vol. Fire Dept.
Otter Creek, Florida
3/17/2004
Died of a heart attack while transporting donated
equipment back to the fire departmental in a
department pick-up truck.
C. Michael ‘Mike’ Lehnen
Bethalto Fire Department
Bethalto, Illinois
3/21/2004
Assistant Chief Lehnen suffered a stroke at his
residence. All interventions by first
responders and at the hospital failed and he
passed away the following day (03/21). He
had worked a house fire the previous
afternoon @ 1500hrs.
Terri L. Eiland
Forts Lake / Franklin Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Moss Point, Mississippi
3/21/2004
Firefighter Eiland was operating a rescue truck
(Ford F350) and responding to a reported
brush fire when while enroute the appartus
left the roadway due to a cause still to be
determined and rolled over several times.
Eiland died of injuries recieved and a
passenger in the vehicle was treated and
released from the hospital. Both occupants
were wearing their seat belts.
Robert Lee Smith
West Shelby Fire & Rescue
Montevallo, Alabama
3/21/2004.
Kenneth ‘Ken’ M. Temke
Campbell County Fire Dist. # 5
Alexandria, Kentucky
3/25/2004
Firefighter Temke was responding to assist
another engine on a vehicle fire. His engine
was cancelled as they left the station, while
backing into the station Firefighter Temke
opened the jump seat door and collapsed,
he was then transported to St. Luke East
Hospital where he was pronounced dead at
0900 hours.
Rick Wilbur
Eaton Rapids Township F. D.
Eaton Rapids, Michigan
3/28/2004
Collapsed and died from a cause to be
determined, suspected heart attack, at the
scene of a working grass fire.
James Harold Pennington
Unity-Frost Prairie Vol. F. D.
Crossett, Arkansas
3/28/2004
Collapsed at his home and died from an
apparent heart attack after returning from a
grass fire where he had complained of not
feeling well.
Joseph S. Northup, Sr.
Jessamine County Fire District
Kentucky
4/1/2004
Kevin Wayne Kulow
Houston Fire Department
Houston, Texas
4/4/2004
Probationary Firefighter Kulow lost his life in an
early morning night club fire when he and
three other firefighters from Station 50
entered the building to provide search and
rescue for victims reported trapped by the
flames. Inside, the fire had developed to a
point that the firefighters made a quick exit
of the structure but a collapse of the walls
trapped Kulow as he attempted to leave
killing him. As reported in the press, no other
fire victims were discovered and the three
firefighters who escaped were taken to the
hospital and are in stable condition.
Phillip Stephen Hulen
Vann Crossroads Fire Dept.
Newton Grove, North Carolina
4/6/2004
While enroute to a department mandated training
class, Firefighter Hulen lost control of his
vehicle and crashed resulting in his death.
No seat belt was in use.
Kenneth Eugene Sterling
Westview - Fairforest Fire and EMS Department
Moore, South Carolina
4/10/2004
Firefighter Sterling died of an apparent heart
attack while operating his privately owned
vehicle several hours after coming off-shift
from the firehouse where he had responded
to emergency calls that morning.
Leslie Keith Gillum
Norton Branch Vol. Fire Dept.
Kentucky
4/14/2004
Michael Fenster
Capital City Fire & Rescue
Juneau, Alaska
4/15/2004
Acting Fire Chief Michael Fenster succumbed to
sudden cardiac arrest after attending
training.
Kevin R. McIntyre
Rockford Fire Department
Rockford, Illinois
4/18/2004
District Chief Kevin McIntyre succumb to a heart
attack.
Bruce Edgar Rogers
Chesterfield Fire Department
Chesterfield, South Carolina
4/22/2004
Collapsed and died from an apparent heart
attack at the scene of a community center
building fire.
Alan David Toepke
USFS Midewin Interagency Hotshot Crew
Wilmington, Illinois
4/24/2004
Firefighter Toepke and his fellow Midewin
Interagency Hotshot Crew firefighters were
returning to their home base in Illinois after a
fire assignment in Florida's Apalachicola
National Forest. The group stopped in
Arkansas to rest for the evening. Toepke
and Firefighter Hazelton, also seriously
injured in the incident, were walking across
the interstate when a semi-truck struck
them.
Jeffrey C. Bergstrom
Stone Park Fire Department
Stone Park, Illinois
4/27/2004
Firefighter Bergstrom died from head injuries
received in a collision at an intersection of
two pieces of fire apparatus from different
departments responding to a fire call.
Irwin Gross
Brookline Fire Department
Brookline, Massachusetts
5/3/2004
Died from injuries received after falling off of fire
apparatus while responding to an incident.
Grady Roy Austin
Henderson County Fire Dept.
Lexington, Tennessee
5/3/2004
Fell off of the tailgate of a pickup truck (POV)
during a training activity.
Joseph Edward Boles
West Area Volunteer Fire Dept.
Fayetteville, North Carolina
5/11/2004
Firefighter Boles was performing daily, required
station and apparatus maintenance during
his assigned shift when he collapsed from
an apparent heart attack. He was
transported to the local hospital where he
was pronounced dead. Firefighter Boles had
not responded to any calls within 24 hours of
his death.
Harry E. Suggs, II
Green Pond Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Woodstock/Green Pond, Alabama
5/13/2004
Chief Suggs died in his sleep while attending an
EMS conference from a cause still to be
determined.
Jeffrey W. Howell
Sharon Springs Fire Dept.
Sharon Springs, New York
5/13/2004
Collapsed and died of a heart attack while pulling
hose off of apparatus at a working
residential fire.
Randy R. Henderson
USFS, USDA Bienville Ranger Dist.
Forest, Mississippi
5/13/2004
Collapsed and died from a cause still to be
determined, possible heart attack, while
working a fire line in the initial attack of a
lightning caused fire in the Osceola National
Forest, Florida.
Michael Martin
Ebenezer Volunteer Fire Dept.
Belton, South Carolina
5/14/2004
Firefighter Martin died from injuries received
when while responding to a medical call his
privately owned vehicle left the roadway and
struck trees.
Connie C. Bornman
Middle River Vol. Ambulance Rescue Company
Middle River, Maryland
5/17/2004
Firefighter/EMT Bornman became ill and died
from a cause still to be determined, possible
heart attack, while assisting a patient on a
medical emergency call.
Lawrence J. ‘Larry’ Hoffman
Oregon Department of Forestry
Salem, Oregon
6/5/2004
Collapsed and died while taking a pack test from
a cause still to be reported by the medical
examiner.
Willie Grudzinski
Bridger Volunteer Fire Dept.
Bridger, Montana
6/8/2004
Died of a heart attack several hours after
completing a pack test.
Wayne C. Turner
BLM Arizona Strip Field Office
St. George, Utah
6/17/2004
Pilot Wayne Turner, a pilot with New Frontier
Aviation out of Ft. Denton, MT, and flying
under contract for the BLM, died when his
single-engine tanker crashed for a cause still
to be determined while working the
Dammeron Fire 14 miles north of St.
George, Utah.
Willie J. Lacy
Augusta Fire Department
Augusta, Georgia
6/17/2004
Died while on duty in the station of a cause still
to be determined, possible heart attack.
Joshua Martin
Duson Volunteer Fire Dept.
Duson, Louisiana
6/19/2004
Junior Firefighter Martin was a passenger in
another firefighter's personally owned
vehicle responding to an apartment fire
when it hydroplaned and hit another vehicle
in a head-on collision. Martin died at the
scene.
Gary D. Archibeque
Show Low Fire District
Show Low, Arizona
6/19/2004
Died of an apparent heart attack while working
as lead of a chipping crew on the
department’s forest treatment program.
Thomas De Angelis
Stowe Township Vol. F. D. #2
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
6/23/2004
After returning from a 2 a.m. call on Wednesday,
June 23rd, Captain De Angelis became ill
and was taken to a hospital where he
passed away. Cause of death is an apparent
heart attack.
Kenneth W. Lipyance
Churchill Volunteer Fire Co.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
6/30/2004
Lieutenant Lipyance went to a call to assist with
extrication at the scene of a vehicle accident
involving a piece of fire apparatus and was
not feeling good at that call. Upon returning
to the fire station, the crew came upon
another vehicle accident in front of the boro
building that is also the fire station. Upon
completing work at this scene, Lipyance
again did not feel well and was walked back
to the station by the Fire Chief (approx 300
feet). Lipyance rested and said he felt better
then got into his private vehicle and as he
went thru the parking lot it was noticed that
he was going very slowly then went directly
across the roadway (4 lanes), hit the curb,
and came to a rest. Lieutenant Lipyance
was transported to a local hospital then lifeflighted to a trauma center in City of
Pittsburgh. The cause of death was stroke
and heart disease.
Gary Don Fox
Bluegrove Volunteer Fire Dept.
Bluegrove, Texas
7/9/2004
Chief Fox was reported to have become ill at the
scene of a hay/vehicle fire and was found
later in his home having died from an
apparent heart attack.
Harold Dean Chappell
Arlington Fire and Rescue, Inc.
Jonesville, North Carolina
7/12/2004
Firefighter Chappell responded to a motor
vehicle crash on 07/11/2004 at
approximately 1812 hrs. After completing the
call Chappell returned home and the next
morning had an apparent heart attack
resulting in his death.
Daniel E. Elkins
Los Angeles County Fire Dept.
Los Angeles, California
7/13/2004
Captain Elkins died from injuries received when
his privately owned vehicle left the roadway
and rolled several times as he was leaving
the Pine Incident brushfire in the Lake
Hughes area of Southern California.
George H. Raber
Hebron Fire Protection District
Hebron, North Dakota
7/31/2004
Crew Chief Raber suffered a heart attack while
exiting an engine at the fire near Hebron,
North Dakota. After CPR at the scene, he
was pronounced dead at Richardton Health
Center
Edward ‘Ed’ H. Stallings
Carthage Volunteer Fire Dept.
Carthage, Tennessee
8/1/2004
Chief Stallings died from injuries sustained while
directing fire suppression operations at a
church fire in April. The roof of the structure
had collapsed causing the front wall to fail
and fall out onto the sidewalk injuring the
Chief and two of his firefighters who had just
exited the building.
Thomas ‘Tom’ Conway
Haddon Heights Fire Dept.
Haddon Heights, New Jersey
8/3/2004
Captain Conway suffered chest pain while
directing traffic at a fire department call for
service. He was transported to a local
hospital where his condition deteriorated
and he passed away peacefully on August 3,
2004.
Lester Philips
Sunshine Volunteer Fire Dept.
Harlan, Kentucky
8/4/2004
Chief Philips died in the hospital several days
after suffering an apparent heart attack at
the scene of a house fire.
Michael ‘Mike’ McAdams
Sapello-Rociada Vol. Fire Co.
Sapello, New Mexico
8/4/2004
Firefighter McAdams died at home from a cause
to be determined several hours after
responding with his fire company to the
scene of a vehicle accident.
Michael J. Bliss
Speedway Safety Services
Claremont, New Hampshire
8/6/2004
A second practice session on the Twin State
Speedway had just started when a large
piece of debris, either a wheel or axle
bearing, was spotted on the track. Rescue
Crew Member Bliss was asked to go out
onto the track to retrieve the debris where
he was struck and killed by one of the race
cars.
Barbara L. Bordenkircher
Wickliffe Rural Fire Department
Wickliffe, Kentucky
8/10/2004
Firefighter Bordenkircher was operating a piece
of fire apparatus in response to a reported
grass fire when for a cause still to be
determined the vehicle left the roadway and
struck a tree, killing Bordenkircher and
seriously injuring another firefighter, William
Stanton, who was riding in the vehicle.
Mike Ward
Okanagan and Wenatchee National Forests
Wenatchee, Washington
8/11/2004
Pilot Ward, was killed when the helicopter he
was piloting crashed while ferrying
firefighting equipment to a small lightningcaused fire located in the Alpine Lakes
Wilderness Area on the Leavenworth
Ranger District.
Jaime L. Foster
Los Angeles Fire Department
Los Angeles, California
8/14/2004
Following extinguishment and as crews were
leaving a residential fire, there was a single
vehicle accident near the scene which
caused traumatic injury to Firefighter Foster.
Despite the combined efforts of Firefighters,
Paramedics and Hospital Emergency
Department personnel, she was declared
deceased at a nearby hospital. A detailed
investigation into the exact circumstances of
the incident is being conducted.
Robert M. Weber, Jr.
MCAS Beaufort, USMC Headquarters
Beaufort, South Carolina
8/16/2004
Collapsed of an unknown cause while on
standby duty.
John D. Taylor
Philadelphia Fire Department
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8/20/2004
Captain Taylor and Firefighter Rubio were killed
when they became trapped in the basement
of a home, where they were fighting a one
alarm fire.
Rey Rubio
Philadelphia Fire Department
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8/20/2004
Captain Taylor and Firefighter Rubio were killed
when they became trapped in the basement
of a home, where they were fighting a one
alarm fire.
Benjamin Matthew Lang
Polk County Fire Department / Cypress Gardens
Bartow, Florida
8/23/2004
Firefighter/EMT Lang was killed while assisting
with the transport of a patient to the hospital.
The ambulance left the road and struck a
tree. Firefighter Lang died instantly.
Robert E. Woolf
Phillipsburg Fire Department
Phillipsburg, Ohio
8/25/2004
Firefighter Woolf received fatal injuries while on
duty, working at the annual Fire Department
Fund Raising event. Firefighter Woolf was
sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck when
the support straps broke causing him to fall
to the ground and strike his head on the
pavement.
David Edward Vinisky
Raccoon Township Independent Vol. Fire Dept. 1
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
8/25/2004
Firefighter Vinisky died of injuries he received
when he was struck by a fire engine at the
fire department.
Cordell W. French
Towanda Fire Department
Towanda, Kansas
8/28/2004
Firefighter Cordell died of an apparent heart
attack after returning from a fire department
drill.
James D. D'Heron
New Brunswick Fire Dept.
New Brunswick, New Jersey
9/3/2004
Deputy Chief D'Heron was the first to respond to
a reported fire in a two family dwelling. Upon
his arrival, he entered the structure and
alerted the residents to the fire. After the
approximately 15 occupants evacuated and
while Chief D'Heron was still inside the
structure, there was some type of explosion
or similar event that caused an extremely
rapid deterioration of conditions that trapped
the Chief and resulted in his death.
Gerald K. ‘Mac’ McGowan
Kansas City Fire Department
Kansas City, Missouri
9/5/2004
Acting Captain McGowan died from injuries
sustained when the pumper apparatus he
was riding in, enroute to a reported
apartment building fire, collided with two
vehicles and crashed into a tree.
Steven M. Rosenfeld
Salem Volunteer Fire Dept.
Culpeper, Virginia
9/9/2004
Collapsed on Scene of motor vehicle crash.
Richard O'Brien
Warren Fire Department
Warren, Rhode Island
9/10/2004
Firefighter O'Brien had responded to a
residential kitchen fire, opened a few
windows to let heavy smoke out of the
kitchen, then collapsed and died from a
cause still to be determined.
Eva M. Schicke
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Sacramento, California
9/12/2004
Firefighter Schicke was part of a seven-person
helicopter crew that was dropped into the
forest to fight a blaze in the Tuolumne Fire
River Canyon from the ground. They were
apparently overrun by flames while
participating in the initial attack on the fire.
Kevin L. Slain
Dixon Rural Fire Prot. District
Dixon, Illinois
9/16/2004
Clinton ‘Clint’ L. Romine
Good Springs Vol. Fire Dept.
Anderson, Alabama
9/17/2004
Firefighter Romine was assisting with tree
removal from roads following Hurricane
Ivan. Romine was in transit in his POV
picking up more equipment when a tree fell
on the vehicle killing him.
William Jim Lightbody
Paramus Vol. Rescue Squad
Paramus, New Jersey
9/18/2004
Rescue Member Lightbody succumbed to a
heart attack while returning from a motor
vehicle entrapment call on the Garden State
Parkway.
John A. Brenckle
Berkeley Hills Fire Company
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
9/23/2004
Fire Police Captain Brenckle’s leg became
infected via an open wound after coming
into contact with floodwaters while he was
working a two day flood event. Brenckle died
several days later after being admitted to the
hospital.
William Weborg
Ephraim Fire Department
Ephraim, Wisconsin
9/26/2004
Assistant Chief Weborg was paged to respond to
a reported boat fire and had arrived at the
fire station where he collapsed and died
from a cause still to be determined.
Daniel P. Holmes
National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon Natl Parks
Three Rivers, California
10/2/2004
Firefighter Holmes died from injuries received
after the top of a 100-foot white fir tree
unexpectedly fell and struck him in an area
where his firefighting crew, the Arrowhead
Hotshots, had intentionally set a fire in Kings
Canyon National Park.
Michael ‘Mike’ J. Kilpatrick
North Lake Fire Department
North Lake, Wisconsin
10/7/2004
Assistant Fire Chief Kilpatrick collapsed and died
from a cause still to be determined while he
was on stand-by at neighboring Stone Bank
Fire Department which was out of the station
working a five-alarm fire at an unfinished
condominium development.
Frederick A. Smith, II
Salem Center Vol. Fire Dept.
Pleasant Lake, Indiana
10/10/2004
Fell from a horse and died from head trauma
received during a cancer ride for life event
where he was acting as a medical first
responder.
Steven C. Brack
Allentown Volunteer Fire Dept.
Allentown, Georgia
10/11/2004
Firefighter Brack was responding to a vehicle
accident in his privately owned vehicle when
it hydroplaned on the wet surface and
crashed off the roadway killing him.
Jordan Nonnemaker
Amity Fire Company
Douglassville, Pennsylvania
10/15/2004
Jordan Nonnemaker and a junior firefighter were
running an errand for the department in a
vehicle operated by the junior firefighter. The
junior firefighter lost control of the vehicle
and was struck on the passenger side of the
vehicle. Nonnemaker died at the scene as a
result of his injuries.
William ‘Bill’ Edward Bierbower
Fairmont Hahntown Vol. F. D.
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
10/15/2004
Firefighter Bierbower died after returning to the
station from a mutual aid fire call and while
consulting with the individual making the fire
incident report, he collapsed and died. The
Westmoreland County Coroner has listed
the cause of death as Hypertension and
ASCVD while responding to an emergency
fire call.
Gary A. Titlon
Katy Fire Department
Katy, Texas
10/20/2004
Chief Titlon died of an apparent heart attack in
his home shortly after responding to a motor
vehicle accident.
Mark Parrish
Normandy Fire Protection Dist.
Saint Louis County, Missouri
10/20/2004
Deputy Chief Parrish died after suffering a
cardiac arrest at a firehouse meeting.
Wake/Viewing: Visitation will be held at the
funeral home from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on
Friday, October 22nd.
Robert D. Heighton
South Walton Fire District
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
10/20/2004
Firefighter/Paramedic Heighton was part of an
air medical crew responding to an
emergency medical call. The mission was
aborted due to inclement weather. While
returning to base, the helicopter crashed
killing him along with the pilot and flight
nurse.
Lewis R. McNally
Newmanstown Vol. Fire Dept.
Newmanstown, Pennsylvania
11/1/2004
Assistant Fire Chief McNally suffered an
apparent heart attack returning to the station
after responding to a motor vehicle accident
call.
Donald Nathan Carlson
Ute Fire Department
Ute, Iowa
11/2/2004
Firefighter Carlson suffered an apparent heart
attack while responding to a motor vehicle
accident call.
Charles ‘Charlie’ C. Webb
Mayking Volunteer Fire Dept.
Mayking, Kentucky
11/6/2004
Lt. Webb suffered and died from an apparent
heart attack while responding to a forest fire
new Mayking, Kentucky.
Edward G. Schnauss
Morrison Volunteer Fire Dept.
Morrison, Missouri
11/13/2004
Captain Schnauss died from an apparent heart
attack when he was found at the fire station
underneath apparatus on which he was
working unconscious and not breathing.
H. Donald Kersting
Wichita Fire Department
Wichita, Kansas
11/15/2004
Cause of Death: Undetermined (pending
autopsy)
Patrick Jared Cramer
Chicago Fire Department
Chicago, Illinois
11/17/2004
Jackson "Jack" H. Gerhart
Chambersburg Fire Department
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
12/5/2004
Firefighter Gerhart succumbed to injuries that
had occurred on November 30th, 2004 while
operating at a structural fire. Preliminary
reports are that he fell while stretching a
supply line and suffered a severe head
injury.
James Larry Rogers
Claxton Volunteer Fire Dept.
Claxton, Georgia
12/13/2004
Chief Rogers was returning to the station after a
structure fire when for unknown reasons the
rescue apparatus he was operating left the
roadway. Soon thereafter and while at the
accident scene, Rogers collapsed and
died from a cause still to be determined.
Michael R. Dunlap
Hydetown Volunteer Fire Dept.
Hydetown, Pennsylvania
12/14/2004
Firefighter Dunlap collapsed at home after
responding to numerous fire calls.
William J. Briggs
INEEL Fire Department
Idaho Falls, Idaho
12/14/2004
Captain Briggs died of a heart attack while
exercising on 12/14/2004. While on-duty the
day before, Captain Briggs complained of
physical discomfort he thought to be GERD
(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) after
participating in strenuous physical activity:
training for the Combat Challenge and the
department's physical performance test. He
had also answered at least one alarm and
an emergency medical / patient care training
activity.
Herbert C. Caldwell, III
Newberry Township Fire Dept.
Etters, Pennsylvania
12/17/2004
Firefighter Caldwell was responding to a fire call
when upon arriving at the fire station he
became ill and was taken to the hospital
were he died from an apparent heart attack.
Nito R. Guajardo
Baytown Fire - Rescue
Baytown, Texas
12/20/2004
Firefighter Guajardo was part of a search and
rescue crew at a working residential fire.
Conditions deteriorated inside the house
and the crew evacuated. Once outside,
Guajardo was discovered missing. After the
fire was controlled, he was found in the foyer
by firefighters. Despite life saving efforts, he
was pronounced dead at the scene.
Theodore A. Myhre, Sr.
Bishop Hill Fire Department
Bishop Hill, Illinois
12/21/2004
Firefighter Myhre was helping a fire truck back
up at the scene of a motor vehicle accident
when he was struck and killed by a pickup
truck on a rural Knox County road.
Jason Todd Rowe
Elkhorn City Fire Department
Elkhorn City, Kentucky
12/23/2004
Chief Rowe was killed during a training exercise
to place snow chains on a fire truck. A
wedge to prevent the tires from rolling and to
lift the truck loosened and was propelled
toward Rowe striking him in the head.
John J. Stoudt
Diligence Fire Company #1
Summit Hill, Pennsylvania
12/25/2004
Firefighter Stoudt, while responding to a mutual
aid call, was attempting to climb into the
driver's seat of a ladder truck when for an
unknown reason he fell from the truck. He
was transported to a hospital where he
passed away.
Jared Michael Moore
Fairmount Township Fire Dept.
Basehor, Kansas
12/29/2004
Firefighter Moore was responding to the scene of
a one-car motor vehicle accident when his
POV was struck in the rear by a patrol car
operated by a Sheriff’s Deputy responding to
the same call. Moore was not wearing a
seat belt and was fatally injured. There was
dense fog at the time of the incident which
may have played a role in the incident.
Joseph ‘Joe’ S. Pepe, III
Springfield Fire Department
Springfield, New Jersey
2004
Donald E. Ward
Columbus Division of Fire
Columbus, Ohio
2004
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
2004 Line Of Duty Deaths
Sources
United States Fire Administration
16825 S. Seton Ave.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
PO Drawer 498
Emmitsburg MD 21727
Prepared by: Joe M. Combs II
June 2005