Heroic Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty, Honored at Memorial Service
JEFFERSON CITY, May 16, 2008—Three fallen firefighters from around the state will be honored this weekend during a candlelight vigil at the Firefighters Memorial Saturday night. At a memorial service on Sunday morning, the names of the three firefighters will be added to a monument wall commemorating those Missouri firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“The brave men we honor today are hometown heroes who will always be remembered in our thoughts prayers and hearts,” Gov. Matt Blunt said. “Their heroism and the sacrifices they made serve as a reminder that firefighting is a calling and not just a job.”
“Families of our fallen firefighters have suffered a terrible loss. The sacrifice of these brave men will never be forgotten,” said Randy Cole State Fire Marshal. “I am confident that their example of bravery, compassion and selflessness will encourage many others to rise to the challenge of service to their communities.”
Firefighters added to the memorial this year:
Louis “Lou” Berra – West County EMS & Fire Protection District – Lost his life in the line of duty on January 18, 2008
Terrance Dale Crockett – Kansas City Fire Department – Lost his life in the line of duty on March 17, 2008
Rickey S. Morris – Sedalia Fire Department – Lost his life on April 17, 2008, from injuries received in the line of duty on April 8, 2008.
During the ceremony there will be a moment of silence in memory of firefighter Tyler Heath Casey who lost his life while performing duties with the Seneca Area Fire Protection District during the recent tornadoes in southwest Missouri. He will be honored during next year’s ceremony when his name is added to the memorial.
The service will also honor 42 members of Missouri’s fire service who died in non line of duty deaths. The Firefighters Memorial and a future firefighters museum is located on I-70 near Kingdom City. Donations to the Firefighters Memorial Foundation and the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri provide Missouri’s firefighters and citizens with this memorial site.