Memorial Service Will Honor 2 Fallen W.Va. Firefighters

Two West Virginia firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023. A memorial service in Emmitsburg, Maryland next week will honor their legacies, as well as those fallen firefighters from across the nation.

Two fallen West Virginia firefighters will be honored at an upcoming memorial service at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Across the nation, more than 80 firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023. This included 28-year-old Cody Mullens and 75-year-old Ron Strosnider, who died in separate incidents last year.

To memorialize their legacies, and honorees nationwide, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host a public candlelight service May 4 at 7:30 p.m., hosted by St. Louis City Fire Captain Garon Mosby.

Then, on May 5 at 10 a.m., the NFFF will host a full memorial service hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.

Both events will be held at the park, located at 16835 S. Seton Ave. in Emmitsburg. Additional programming will be offered specifically to the family members and colleagues of fallen firefighters.

The NFFF anticipates thousands of attendees at the weekend’s ceremonies, according to a Thursday press release.

“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”

For more information on the firefighters being honored at this year’s ceremony, visit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s 2024 Roll of Honor.

To view live streams of the ceremonies, visit the national Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s website, YouTube channel or Facebook page.

Cell Phone Tower Collapse Kills Three Including Firefighter

West Virginia State Police have released the names of two workers and a firefighter who were killed when two cellphone towers collapsed.
 
Lt. Michael Baylous on Sunday identified the workers as 32-year-old Kyle Kirkpatrick of Hulbert, Okla., and 27-year-old Terry Lee Richard Jr. of Bokoshe, Okla.

He identified the fallen firefighter as 28-old Michael Dale Garrett of Clarksburg, a member of the Nutter Fort Volunteer Fire Department.
 
Baylous said Kirkpatrick and Richard were working on a 300-foot cellphone tower Saturday when it collapsed in Clarksburg. Garrett was killed when a smaller cellphone tower weakened by the collapse also fell.
 
Two other workers suffered non-life threatening injuries.
 
The towers are owned by SBA Communications.
 
SBA Communications spokeswoman Lynne Hopkins said the company is saddened by the accident and is cooperating with investigators.

The West Virginia State Police are investigating the accident.
 

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