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.
Lafayette Fire Department Sergeant John Robinson was a 29-year veteran of the department
Roy Smith is believed to have been responding to a stranded motorist in high water before his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree
Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District Junior Firefighter Chevy Gall was killed in a POV crash while responding to a water rescue
Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander Cohen and Special Agent Carlos Wolff were both hit by a vehicle when Cohen stopped to help Wolff on the side of the highway
In 2016, 89 firefighters died in the line of the duty, including 23 career firefighters, 56 volunteer and 10 wildland agency members
Homeowner Mary Alice Mark agreed to pay the coverage to Gary and Linda Rose after Captain Jack Henry Rose died in a fire at her home
Bowie Rural Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Charles Patterson was working a hose line when he collapsed
A funeral for Jon Hickey, who was shot in his home after what police called a “domestic-related” incident, will be held today
Montgomery Fire Department Chief Stephen Frye was battling the blaze when he collapsed while operating “the initial attack line”
The report found that among the factors that contributed to the firefighter’s death were a delay in fire suppression, crew integrity and fireground communications
Robert Fitch, 60, helped a rescue crew save someone who was stuck on some cliffs after trying to rescue a pet
The new site of the Stockton Fire Department’s memorial statue will be surrounded by a fence after it was defaced and broken several times
Funds for the nearly $4,000 memorial stone, feauturing the Fireman’s and EMT prayers, came through donations
Keione Boone, a 15-year Detroit Fire Department veteran, died after learning he had lung cancer just three months earlier
Methuen Fire Chief Tim Sheehy announced the passing of firefighter Patrick McKallagat, 37, but no cause of death was reported
The Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Partnership announced that three artists have been chosen as semi-finalists to memorialize the fallen firefighters
Lester Parker and Billy Tucker were sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of setting Parker’s home on fire for insurance money
The project, called Line of Duty Death, was a collaborative effort between Howell, the county fire department and Howard County government
Prosecutors said Lester Parker solicited his nephew to set the fire to collect insurance money
Tom O’Brien’s heirs are going to court 82 years after he died to seek an honor they say he was unfairly denied: a finding of a line-of duty death
Colby Blake was charged with causing death while operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than 0.15 percent
Captain David Moorman collapsed within an hour of arriving home after his shift ended
Former Sandwich Fire Chief Don Rimgale, 77, inspired the character by the same name that Robert De Niro played in the film
Over 900 people gathered to honor Kendall Murphy, who died after being “run over” by another firefighter
Lt. Edward McDonagh, 49, lost his three-year battle against stage 4 colon cancer
Kendall Murphy died after being “run over” by Colby Blake, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol
Firefighter Scott Compton died of a heart attack after returning home from the fire
Gregory Wood was found on the second floor of his family’s home after it was engulfed in flames
Lester Parker’s daughter, Cheryl Sullivan, testified that she noticed things missing from the house that had been there on Christmas Eve
Department members are mourning the loss of Lieutenant Angie Davis, who was a 16-year fire veteran
Cal Fire Captain Ryan Mitchell died at the Pine Valley Bridge shortly after his shift ended
David Carr was involved in the ground operations for a fire at a renewable energy plant and was on the scene until the department was released
Patrick Wolterman’s death was the first of a Hamilton firefighter in the line of duty since 1971
MOST POPULAR
- Firefighters and December
- N.Y. FD honors fallen firefighter with vigil, park renaming on anniversary of LODD
- LODD: Pa. fire police officer suffers cardiac arrest while responding to call
- 6 ways to improve roadway operations safety for emergency responders
- From ‘Black Sunday’ to Baltimore tragedy: January fires evoke pain, old and new