Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)
The FireRescue1 line-of-duty death page provides ongoing coverage and resources related to firefighter deaths that occur while on duty. The page compiles breaking news, incident updates and memorial coverage honoring firefighters who died during emergency response, training or other job-related duties, while helping the fire service stay informed and reflect on lessons that may help prevent future tragedies.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation supports the families of firefighters who die in the line of duty through resources, programs and remembrance efforts that honor fallen fire heroes and help their loved ones rebuild their lives. Learn more about how to support firefighter families through the NFFF.
Following a four-year investigation into the death of New Haven firefighter Ricardo Torres Jr., federal officials say missed communication and command inexperience contributed to his death
The death of the Charleston 9 brought significant organizational change
Laurel County Fire Major Roger Leatherman died while shielding his wife during a deadly EF-3 tornado that tore through their neighborhood
Berwick Fire Department Captain Joel Barnes was helping battle an apartment blaze when he was “met with a wall of flames”
Thomas Nye, a 45-year fire veteran, collapsed of what is believed to be cardiac incident after returning home from a chimney fire
Hugh DePew, a 35-year career firefighter and served as Franklin’s fire chief from 1992 to 2000, died at the age of 82
Palmerdale Fire District firefighter Branden Pierce, 21, died at the hospital after suffering a medical event at the station
The Eli Staton Memorial Scholarship will cover the nearly $5,000 paramedic school tuition for one firefighter-EMT
Fayette County Fire Chief Jason Byrd went into cardiac arrest while responding to a residential fire, according to officials
Garden Grove Fire Chief Tom Schultz died just two weeks after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer
Todd Aldridge and Mark Benge, who died 30 years ago, are the only firefighters in Orange County fire Rescue’s history to have died in the line of duty
Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo is renewing his call to provide a property tax break to the spouses of first responders who die in the line of duty
Catherine Lohan, one of the women who smashed the FDNY’s gender barrier nearly 40 years ago to become a New York City firefighter, died at 68
Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday to commemorate the life of San Jose Fire Department volunteer firefighter Robinder Bhurji
Effingham County Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Kicklighter, 45, died of apparent natural causes, according to officials
Phoenix Fire Department Rick Telles died after battling an aggressive form of cancer he contracted as a result of being a firefighter
Hundreds of firefighters gathered in Richmond to advocate for a bill that would expand firefighter cancer coverage
Former Chief Robert Richardson spent 30 years in the fire service and was the youngest professional fire chief in the state of Florida after 10 years on the job
One month after a five-alarm blaze claimed the life of Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy, the cause of that fire remains under investigation
After Steven Pollard fell to his death while trying to help a crash victim, Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the department will “ensure this never happens again”
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro and Mayor Bill de Blasio are scheduled to give eulogies for Firefighter Steven Pollard
In 2018, 86 firefighters died in the line of duty around the United States
“Worcester’s Bravest” was created by Wormtown Brewery and Wachusett Brewing Company to raise money for Christopher Roy’s daughter Ava
Travis Simms said he “immediately felt guilty” after learning Steven Pollard fell more than 50 feet to the ground while rushing to help him
John Heller, who died after saving his fiancé and four nephews from an apartment fire, was honored by more than 300 community members
Lt. Eric Hosette was killed in an explosion at Clinton’s Archer Daniels Midland, and firefighter Adam Cain was transported to the hospital in critical condition
Steven Pollard was responding to a vehicle crash when he slipped through a gap in the roadway and fell 52 feet
Spokane Valley Fire Department officials announced the deaths of two former fire captains, and work-related exposure to toxins is suspected as the cause
Howell Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bobby Dunaway was working to extinguish a vehicle fire when he suffered a medical event
Mizpah Volunteer Fire Company firefighter Natalie Dempsey, 21, died Christmas morning when her vehicle crashed into a guardrail
A federal investigation into the line-of-duty death of Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy is slated to begin in the new year, officials said
Coal Township Fire Department Captain Scott Dannheimer suffered a medical emergency while at the scene of a house fire
Dr. Dzung Ahn Pham was arrested on suspicion of illegally selling narcotics to a man who is suspected in a DUI crash that killed Capt. Mike Kreza
