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.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Lepselter worked in multiple specialized divisions
Two Berks County fire chiefs were killed after a swerving car struck their UTV head-on during a search for a missing woman in Richmond Township
Colleagues and first responders gathered to pay tribute to Michael Altman, a fourth-generation firefighter killed in the line of duty
A mayday followed by a partial roof collapse left one firefighter dead and at least four others in serious condition
Fire Apparatus Engineer Kevin Skinner, a 25-year Orange County Fire Authority veteran, collapsed after searching for residents in a Laguna Niguel house fire
Remembering the service and sacrifice of those lost this year in service to their communities
A judge ruled that the accusations as drafted did not support a reasonable inference that the fire department acted to harm the firefighters
Henderson County Fire Chief Joseph Lynn Murphy experienced cardiac arrest hours after responding to an emergency call
Brockton Firefighter Jeffrey Albanese succumbed to his injuries after suffering cardiac arrest during a call on Dec. 9
Nearly a dozen contributing factors, including a lack of pre-incident planning and crew integrity, are listed in the report on the death of a Spring Valley firefighter in 2021
Winchester Firefighter Rick Sanders is survived by his wife, Billie, four children and four grandchildren with another grandchild on the way
The Napoleon Volunteer Fire Company stated Firefighter Ralph Meyer had joined the department when he was 14 years old
The historic fire spotlights the need for courage, command presence, smart tactical decision-making, and risk management
Pittsburgh Battalion Chief John Walsh was remembered as a “good husband, a good firefighter and a good friend”
Johnny Goines, a longtime firefighter with the Verona Volunteer Fire Department, was found unresponsive in his vehicle when first responders arrived
Two of the five firearms purchased were used to shoot Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Finseth
Battalion Chief John Walsh died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital after being stricken while working as the incident commander during a house fire
Between the Boulder and Miami incidents, too many deaths and injuries have occurred secondary to training incidents where live fire was a factor
An 18-year-old state Parks and Recreation aide was killed by a falling tree while fighting a brush fire in Sterling Forest
Investigators have filed arson charges related to the death of Firefighter Marcelo Garcia during a warehouse fire
Firefighter Marcelo Garcia succumbed to injuries from a wall collapse during a warehouse fire
Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Peter Blomberg was crossing the street to attend a meeting when he was struck
First responders across the state stood in line to pay their respects to Wethersfield Firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr.
Barstow Firefighters Local 2325 announced the death of Captain Garrett Miller
Danville Fire Police Officer Robert “Bob” Myers, Sr. had served with the department for 49 years
Brockton Firefighter Jason Gould suffered lung damage while rescuing an occupant during a fire
Wethersfield Firefighter Robert Sharkevich was killed in a UTV rollover during a fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin
A former propane company employee has been charged for his role in an explosion that killed Sterling Firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 11 others
The Wethersfield firefighter was one of three involved in the crash while responding to a brush fire in Berlin
Perryton Assistant Chief Scott Glass was one of three firefighters struck by a 5-inch supply line
Investigators are unable to determine the cause of the 2023 fire that killed two Baltimore firefighters and considered the fire to be an accident
Firefighter Tony Garrison is the fourth firefighter to have died in the line of duty during Hurricane Helene relief efforts
Firefighters and deputies are among the fallen in the wake of one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history
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