City Firefighter Honored at National Memorial
Service
The 28th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service
was held on Sunday, Oct. 4 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Among the
seven Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008
who were honored at the ceremony was Captain Leonard Riggins,
age 52, of the St. Louis Fire Department. He died after being
shot while rendering aid at the scene of a motor vehicle accident
that was part of a car-jacking on Nov. 5, 2008.
Ninety-eight men and five women from 36 states were remembered
at the official national service held at the National Fire Academy
in Emmitsburg. Nineteen firefighters who died in previous years
were also honored.
Listed below are the other Missouri firefighters honored at
the service:
Firefighter/Paramedic Louis Berra, age 49, of the West County
EMS & Fire Protection District died of a heart attack on
Jan.18, 2008, within 24 hours of department physical fitness
training.
Firefighter/First Responder Tyler Casey, age 21, of the Seneca
Area Fire Protection District died from traumatic injuries sustained
while evacuating residents during a tornado on May 12, 2008.
Firefighter Terrance Crockett, age 48, of the Kansas City Fire
Department died of a heart attack while operating at a residential
structure fire on March 17, 2008.
Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Hummert, age 22, of the Maplewood
Fire Department died after being shot on the scene of a robbery
stand-off with vehicle fire on July 21, 2008.
Firefighter Rick Morris, age 54, of the Sedalia Fire Department
died on April 17, 2008, after succumbing to injuries sustained
at residential structure fire on April 8, 2008.
Lieutenant Clarence Watson II, age 35, of the Hematite Fire
Protection District died of a heart attack within 24 hours of
responding to multiple incidents on November 29, 2008.
The ceremony marked the beginning of National Fire Prevention
Week designated by President Obama to focus national attention
on the destruction of property and loss of life caused by fire.
Fore more information, visit http://Weekend.FireHero.org. The
website includes a complete list of this year’s honored fallen
firefighters, a video introduction to the Memorial weekend, images
of previous memorial services, and more.
Public Safety
City of St. Louis
