Line of Duty Deaths
Captain
James Welch
December 15, 1872
Fell when attempting to slide down fire hose from 4th floor of the Bronson Tobacco Works fire.
2nd Pipeman John Viebrook
July 31, 1883
Fell from top of hose tower after returning from fire.
Captain George S. Fraser
September 8, 1887
Died after falling from a hose tower while on duty at station 3.
Captain James Fraser.
January 3, 1894
Burned to death at the King Elevator fire.His body was never recovered.
Captain Oscar S. Will
May 22, 1898
Killed by falling walls at Dow & Snell Wholesale Grocery, Superior & Jefferson.
Captain John H. Gallagher
Sept. 19, 1900
Died during firefighting operations at Henry Rosen’s Junk Warehouse, Vance & 13th.
Fireman David D. Young
October 24, 1901
Fell through the pole hole at Station 13, Front & Paine.
Captain John B. Ward
December 24, 1901
Died when #7 Hook & Ladder collided with streetcar at Collingwood & Dorr Street.
Hoseman Ralph H. Westfall
January 30, 1902
Died of injuries received at Henry Rosen’s Junk Warehouse, Vance & 13th.
Fireman William E. Croke.
April 11, 1908
Fell from a ladder while repairing a window and fell through pole hole.
Captain Edward J. Welch
December 11, 1916
Died during firefighting operations at the Paddock Merchandise Company at 114 St. Clair Street.
Captain
Andrew J. Flynn
January 31, 1932
Died when #16 Ladder collided with Community Traction Bus.
Fireman
Stephen Fekete
September 14, 1936
Died of a heart attack while returning from a fire on Yondota Street.
Fireman Howard C. Rippel
February 17, 1943
Burned to death at a fire at 1005 West Woodruff.
Hoseman
Timothy J. Morrissey
February 15, 1945
Died of a heart attack during firefighting operations at 1128 Dorr.
Chief Karl B. Scheidler
November 2, 1952
Died of a heart attack as a result of fighting a large marsh fire. He was the 13th Chief of the Department.
Fireman Louis Palenske
May 8, 1957
FIreman Palenske died after suffering a stroke while on duty at station 21.
Private William G. Genson
July 10, 1961
Died as a result of burns suffered at the Anthony Wayne Trail tanker fire, June 10, 1961.
Lt. Chester Rybarczyk
September 2, 1967
Died during fire fighting operations at Pee Wee’s Bar, 1501 Suder Ave.
Private Ralph D. Arthur
January 9, 1971
Died while rescuing his children from a snowmobile accident.
Private Timothy Shiltz
September 5, 1994
Private Shiltz died after an on-duty exposure from an E.M.S. incident.
Hoseman Thomas J. Smith
December 9, 1902
Killed by falling walls at Kiefer Brothers Furniture Store fire, Dorr St. & Palmwood.
Engineer John B. Kaintz
.
February 28, 1915
Died of injuries received at Station 5 while answering an alarm at Wabash Railroad House.
District Chief John Tiernan
August 8, 1917
District Chief John Tiernan died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at Station 6.
Ladderman
Bernard A. Orzechowski
January 31, 1932
Died when #16 Ladder collided with Community Traction Bus
Dist. Chief George Ehmann
October 29, 1937
Died from injuries in a collision at Lincoln & Lawrence.
Inspector Robert L. Fitzgerald
October 13, 1943
Suffered a heart attack during civil defense demonstration.
Fireman Emil M. Steck, Jr.
November 16, 1947
Died of injuries received when #1 Pumper was struck by an auto while responding to a fire.
Fireman Edward A. Stapleton
January 1, 1953
Fireman Edward A. Stapleton died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at Station 18.
Fireman Kenneth L. Williams
September 20, 1958
Died during firefighting operations at S & S Distributors, 1100 West Central.
Deputy Chief Ewald E. Bode
July 28, 1961
Died as a result of burns suffered at the Anthony Wayne Trail tanker fire, June 10, 1961
Private Louis W. Fuhr
March 22, 1969
Died of injuries suffered in a collision involving #18 Pumper and an auto at Jackman & Laskey while responding to a false alarm.
Private Neal Millsaps
February 26, 1975
Private Neal Millsaps died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at station 24.
Private Michael Darrington
February 27, 2009
Died while on duty at Station 14 shortly after returning from an E.M.S. incident.
Hoseman Richard Donnelly
December 11, 1902
Died of injuries received at Kiefer Brothers Furniture Store fire, Dorr St. & Palmwood.
Hoseman John C. Timmers
.
April 20, 1916
Died after being run over by Steamer #2 at Erie & Adams while responding to Box 34.
District Chief Evans W. Owens
May 17, 1929
District Chief Owens died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at fire station 2.
Foreman
Edward Radunz
June 21, 1932
Died from fall at Willys Parkway & Berdan Avenue.
Fireman Joseph Mariea
December 10, 1938
Firemen Joseph Mariea died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at fire station 7.
Fireman James P. Fakehany
January 12, 1944
Burned to death at the Colony Block fire.
Captain Benn R. Miner
January 26, 1949
Died of a heart attack shortly after reporting for duty at the Fire Alarm Building.
Fireman Donald Timiney
February 20, 1953
Died as a result of firefighting operations on Mayo St on February 19, 1953.
Private Robert G. Harrison
June 15, 1961
Died as a result of burns suffered at the Anthony Wayne Trail tanker fire, June 10, 1961.
Private Ralph Kachenmeister
February 23, 1962
Private Ralph Kachenmeister died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at Station 24.
Deputy Chief Claude E. Willoughby
May 7, 1969
Died of a heart attack during firefighting operations at multiple alarm fire at 916 Lagrange St.
Private Robert Schrein
March 3, 1976
Private Robert H. Schrein died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at fire station 24.
Private Stephen A. Machcinski
January 26, 2014
Died during firefighting operations at 528 Magnolia Street.
Assistant Chief Peter McDonough
December 19, 1907
Assistant Chief Peter McDonough died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at Station 3.
Hoseman Albert T. Urie
.
December 11, 1916
Died during firefighting operations at the Paddock Merchandise Company at 114 St. Clair Street.
Ladderman Paul J. Quigley
February 14, 1931
Died at Station 18 when he fell during ladder drill.
Hoseman
Vanner E. Wendt
December 25, 1933
Died of injuries from firefighting operations on Suder Avenue
Hoseman Clemons P. Willacker
September 23, 1939
Died of a heart attack during firefighting operations in a warehouse at Lagrange & Water Streets.
Lt. Charles Morrissey
April 21, 1944
Died of pneumonia contracted as a result of fighting a house fire in Nov 1943.
Fireman Joseph C. Pietkowski
June 6, 1950
Died of a heart attack during firefighting operations at 310 Bronson.
Fireman John Jacoby
March 18, 1955
Died as a result of exposure to toxic smoke from X-ray film/equipment.
Private Glen E. Carter
June 23, 1961
Died as a result of burns suffered at the Anthony Wayne Trail tanker fire, June 10, 1961
Private Leo Nalodka
April 22, 1964
Became ill while on duty at Station 7, died at St. Vincent's Hospital.
Captain Robert J. Pietras
June 21, 1969
Died of injuries suffered during firefighting operations at 2472 Lawton on June 20, 1969.
Private Donnie Cathcart
May 19, 1981
Died as a result of firefighting operations at Bell & Fernwood on May 18, 1981.
Private James A. Dickman
January 26, 2014
Died during firefighting operations at 528 Magnolia Street.