Latest news with #NationalFallenFirefightersMemorial
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
WNC man who died heroically during Hurricane Helene is honored at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Battalion Chief Tony Garrison of the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department was selfless to the end. The 51-year-old died last fall while attempting to save lives during Hurricane Helene. Widow Mary Garrison says his strong willingness to help was part of his DNA. 'He was just a simple man; that's just the way he lived his life. He loved his family, and he's truly missed,' she told Queen City News. More than seven months after the disaster, her husband was among those honored at the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Maryland. Tony's family and fellow Fairview firefighters attended in his memory. 'To have him honored this way, I'm blessed to be able to travel up there and to be able to attend the service,' said Mary. The tribute remembered 70 first responders who died in the line of duty last year, and 70 more who died in previous years. 'That's just what embodies the values of fire service,' said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Association. 'That's why it's so important to commemorate these men and women who have served so bravely and courageously.' Garrison stepped up on September 27th of 2024, one of the darkest days imaginable 'He went running out the door, there was no 'Goodbye,' there was no 'Be careful,' he went to do what he was trained to do,' Mary remembers. While Tony searched for loved ones during the storm with nephew Brandon Ruppe, both were overwhelmed by flooding and landslides and lost their lives. Tony's son Dylan was also with them, but somehow, he survived. 'He said, 'We were under the water.' He said, 'I couldn't breathe.' He said, 'I couldn't move.' He's a miracle, my son is a miracle,' says Mary, reflecting on the wide range of emotions. That day, a total of 13 were killed in the Garren Creek community. Tony was one of 11 from the same family who died in the area known as Craigtown. The victims included Lois and Jimmy Souther, and Dan and Evelyn Wright. Months later, the Garrison family's bittersweet journey led to a somber ceremony, where fallen firefighters were announced. 'Tony Ray Garrison, Fairview Volunteer Fire Department incorporated,' his family heard, before being presented with a folded American flag. Mary accepted it with their children Hannah and Dylan by her side. 'I'm honored to do that for him, and for his memory, absolutely,' she says. 'Truthfully, that's the only thing that gives me comfort, is that I know [Tony] was doing what [he was trained to do],' said Mary. Garrison was one of 11 North Carolina first responders honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Mary holds onto many memories of good times from their wedding day, moments with their family, and fishing. She even sent us a photo of him cutting his spaghetti with a pair of scissors. Tony's love of life was matched by his sense of humor. 'We had a first date that I will never forget. He took me bowling, but it was with his whole family. For a first date, I thought, 'Wow!'' Perhaps that first date was telling, because throughout his life, family mattered most. That's why at the height of disaster, Tony Garrison sprang to action. 'That was just a testament to the kind of person he was… he was going to help anybody that he could have,' Mary says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Two RI firefighters honored at national memorial service
EMMITSBURG, Md. (WPRI) — Two firefighters from Rhode Island are among the 170 being honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial this weekend in Maryland. North Providence Battalion Chief John Carnegis died following a battle with cancer last year. Kingston Fire District's Assistant Chief Allan LePage was killed in the line of duty in 2009 after getting trapped between a ceiling and the platform of the ladder at the firehouse. A candlelight ceremony was held Saturday night. A memorial service will be held on Sunday. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Burnsville Firefighter Adam Finseth's name being added at national memorial
Burnsville Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Finseth, who was killed in the line of duty last year, is being memorialized at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial this weekend. Members of the Burnsville Fire Department and families left Friday to go to the memorial in Emmitsburg, Md. Finseth's name will be unveiled, along with 69 other firefighters who died in 2024 and another 70 in previous years. Finseth and Burnsville Police Officers Paul Emstrand and Matt Ruge were ambushed and shot during a standoff in Burnsville on Feb. 18, 2024. Finseth, 40, was a SWAT medic, a husband and a father of two. 'Adam served his community with great pride and professionalism,' said Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann in a Friday statement. 'He cared about his fellow first responders and was selfless, dedicated, and an incredible member of our department. We will never forget him, and we will hold his family in our hearts forever.' Jungmann is leading a contingent of more than 60 firefighters and family members that will take part in a candlelight vigil starting 6:30 p.m. CST Saturday, and a memorial service that starts 9 a.m. CST Sunday. They will be livestreamed at The travel was made possible 'thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individual donors,' the city said in a Friday press release. Burnsville's fire stations will be aglow in red lights over the weekend in tribute to Finseth. Jill Sobule, singer-songwriter known for 'I Kissed a Girl,' dies in Woodbury fire Singer Jill Sobule dies in Woodbury house fire St. Paul police plan to encrypt dispatches, as have Minneapolis, other agencies Apostle Supper Club across from the Xcel Energy Center to close Slow down and look up: Extra law enforcement on MN roads starting Thursday
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dakota City Fire Department to remember fallen firefighters
DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (KCAU) — The Dakota City Fire Department will be remembering fallen firefighters over the weekend. The ceremony, a Bells Across America service, will be held Sunday, May 4, at 1 p.m. at the Dakota City Fire Hall at 208 S. 21st Street. During the ceremony, the fire department will pay tribute to the 70 firefighters across the nation who died in the line of duty in 2024. There will also be a special tribute the department's three fallen members: Captain Andy Zalme, Captain Eric Speck, and Firefighter Lowell Satterwhite. Zalme was recognized at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in October 2016, Speck and Satterwhite were recognized in October 2017. 'Bells Across America is a way to honor the firefighters who passed away in 2024,' said Clint Rasmussen, Dakota City Fire Chief. 'It is also a way to honor and remember Dakota City's three fallen firefighters, Andy, Eric, and Lowell. These firefighters paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities.' SUX Fly & Drive fly in, car show, and pancake breakfast happening Saturday The service is part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend held in Emmitsburg, Maryland each year. the foundation asks that local communities and other groups use take time on the day to remember any firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and the previous years. More information about Bells Across America can be found at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Burnsville first responder shootings: Public invited to pay respects on 1-year anniversary
Burnsville officials are inviting the community to show their respects to three fallen first responders on the one-year anniversary of when they were shot in an ambush. Three wreathes will be placed at Burnsville City Hall on Feb. 18, the day that Police Officer Paul Elmstrand, Police Officer Mathew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth were killed last year. Community members can come out to support the police and fire departments, the city announced Wednesday. City leadership and the City Council will provide public comments at 2 p.m. 'Our community continues to heal from the loss of Paul, Matt and Adam,' Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said in a Wednesday statement. 'By recognizing their ultimate sacrifice and honoring their memories, we hope to build upon the healing process. Burnsville will not forget these brave men, their courage, selflessness and dedication to our community.' The City Council on Tuesday proclaimed Feb. 18 as Public Safety Memorial Day in Burnsville. The proclamation says that date 'will forever live on in Burnsville as a day of remembrance of our fallen heroes and their families.' Burnsville will light city buildings in blue and red the evenings of Feb. 17 and 18. Fundraising is underway for members of the Burnsville police and fire departments, and the families and loved ones of Finseth, Ruge and Elmstrand to travel to national memorial services this spring. The officers' names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Finseth's name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland, both in May. The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Foundation is organizing a fundraiser at GoFundMe ( to help cover costs. 'Attending memorial services is critical for the healing process of everyone touched by this tragedy,' said Kevin Rofidal of the MN FOP Foundation. 'Getting a sense of shared support and closure is an essential part of the process.' Last Feb. 18, Burnsville officers responded about 1:50 a.m. to an in-progress domestic disturbance at a house on 33rd Avenue off Burnsville Parkway. Ashley Dyrdahl rented the home and her boyfriend, Shannon Gooden, lived there, along with their children. Crime & Public Safety | Stillwater woman's parachute 'fully' deployed before fatal incident, company officials say Crime & Public Safety | Stillwater woman dies in skydiving accident in Arizona Crime & Public Safety | Burnsville ambulances will be the first in the state to carry blood for on-scene transfusions Crime & Public Safety | Charges: Burnsville man killed his girlfriend's dog with a knife and bow and arrow Crime & Public Safety | Burnsville woman pleads guilty to buying the guns her boyfriend used to kill two officers and a firefighter A memo from the Dakota County Attorney's Office said Gooden was suspected of sexually abusing a child, that Dyrdahl told police he had weapons, that Gooden assured officers he was unarmed, and that police called in many resources and were negotiating with him before Gooden ambushed them. There were seven children in the house with Gooden at the time of the shootings. Gooden shot more than 100 rifle rounds at law enforcement and first responders, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has said. Gooden died by suicide and Dyrdahl was federally charged with straw purchasing firearms for Gooden, who wasn't allowed to possess them because of a past felony conviction. Dyrdahl has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
