EMMITSBURG, Md. — Even as the federal government shutdown disrupts normal reporting, one thing cannot be allowed to slip from view: the firefighters who died in the line of duty this year. Their names, their service and the circumstances of their deaths deserve to be recognized now, not only when official records are updated. Until federal operations resume and the U.S. Fire Administration can formally add these losses to its roll, we owe it to these firefighters and their families to bear witness and remember.
While this is not an official list, the fatalities are expected to be included once normal federal operations resume, based on how similar on-duty deaths have been recorded in the past.
Stephen Lepselter
Broward County, Fla., April 5: Broward County Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Lepselter died after suffering a medical emergency while on duty.
James Buck and Rob Shick
Walnuttown, Pa., April 4: Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Rob Shick were in a UTV during a search for a missing person, traveling on the shoulder of a road, when a vehicle approached. Witnesses told investigators the car was swerving before it left the roadway and struck the UTV head-on. Buck was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital, while Shick died at Reading Hospital.
Todd Pendleton and Bryan Jenkins
Goldsby, Okla., March 20: Goldsby firefighters Bryan Jenkins and Todd Pendleton were killed in a rollover crash while responding to a structure fire. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when a fire department tanker left the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned. Investigators determined the driver went off the road, overcorrected, and caused the vehicle to roll over while en route to the incident.
Wayne Barry, Jr.
Nashville, Tenn., March 17: Nashville Firefighter Wayne Barry Jr. died after suffering a medical emergency while on duty. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at Fire Station 32, after which Barry was transported to TriStar Summit Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Mike Altman
Chicago, March 17: Chicago Firefighter Mike Altman fell from the first floor into the basement while battling a residential structure fire. A department spokesperson said Altman was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious-to-critical condition with extensive second- and third-degree burns. Altman succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Todd Koch
Richlandtown Borough, Pa., March 9: Fire Police Officer Todd Koch of the Richlandtown Fire Company died after suffering a severe respiratory event that led to cardiac arrest while responding to an emergency call, according to the department. Fellow responders initiated immediate lifesaving measures and continued treatment efforts on scene, but Koch ultimately succumbed to the medical emergency.
Jackson Warren
Butler County, Mo., March 6: Butler County Fire Protection District Shift Commander Jackson Warren, who died in a crash while responding to a call. Warren was working his first shift as the district’s newly promoted shift commander when he was killed.
Stephen Reeves
Henry County, Ga., March 1: Henry County Fire Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Reeves died following a medical emergency, officials said. His crew immediately rushed him to the hospital, but he did not survive.
Jeff Derrick
Pittsburg, Texas, Feb. 27: Tri Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Jeff Derrick died while battling a grass fire in Titus County. Derrick was part of a response to a tractor fire that spread into a nearby pasture along FM 21 in East Texas when shifting winds rapidly changed fire conditions. As crews worked the incident, Derrick attempted to return to his vehicle but became disoriented in heavy smoke and worsening conditions, ultimately running toward the highway in an effort to escape. He was overcome by smoke and died at the scene, according to authorities.
These on-duty deaths are listed by the USFA before the partial shutdown:
Dale Malone
Louisburg, N.C., Feb. 10: White Level Firefighter Dale Malone experienced a medical emergency while responding to the call.
Howard Bennett
Camden, N.J., Feb. 5: Veteran Camden Firefighter Howard Bennett was working on a fire boat at Wiggins Park Marina when he became trapped under icy water.
Keith Long
District of Columbia, Feb. 4: Battalion Chief Keith Long had just completed a 24-hour shift when he collapsed during an annual stress test. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Brittany Hathaway
Cliff, N.M., Jan. 22: Firefighter/EMT Brittany Hathaway, who served both Cliff Gila Fire Department, Gila Regional EMS and Central Dispatch, died after collapsing during a medical call.
