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Lost in the Line Duty

In this day and age we are losing more and more Firefighters to the Beast.
This page is meant to remember those whom we have lost and their stories.

 

If you would like to post a story please email it to
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Final Call
 As reported by The Franklin News-Post
  
Rocky Mount fire chief, fireman killed in fire truck-car crash
Posey Dillon, Danny Altice were answering call
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Posey Dillon (right) is pictured above with Danny Altice during a ceremony in February 2008 when Altice was presented a lifetime achievement award by the Rocky Mount Town Council. They were killed Tuesday afternoon in a collision with a car while responding to a call.
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Monday, July 26, 2010

Rocky Mount Fire Chief and Vice Mayor Posey Dillon and longtime fireman William D. "Danny" Altice were killed today in an accident in Rocky Mount involving a town fire truck and two automobiles.

According to Virginia State Police First Sgt. Mike Bailey, the fire truck was dispatched to a structure fire in Union Hall and was traveling east through the intersection of Rt. 40 East and School Board Road (in front of Sheetz) when a car pulled out from School Board Road into the intersection. The car, a 2007 Ford Escape driven by Terry Valentine, 41, of Rocky Mount, struck the rear of the fire truck, which then hit the curb on the other side of the road and flipped, landing on top of another car, a 2000 Mustang driven by Carolyn Puckett, 47, of Bassett. Dillon and Altice, who were the only occupants of the fire truck, were both thrown from the truck, Bailey said. The fire truck was hauling about 1,000 gallons of water and the weight may have shifted when it hit the curb, Bailey said, adding that the truck rolled "up to three times" before landing upside down on the Mustang, which was stopped at the light in the westbound lane of Rt. 40. Valentine and Puckett were the only occupants of their vehicles, and both were transported to Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, where they were treated and released, he said. Police said the traffic light was red for Rt. 40 traffic, and the fire truck did a "rolling stop" as it was going through with lights flashing and sirens sounding. Witnesses are being interviewed and surveillance cameras from nearby businesses are also being examined to piece together exactly what happened, he said. The accident occurred about 4:30 p.m. and Rt. 40 was closed in both directions for several hours. Dillon had served on town council for 24 years, including 10 years as vice mayor, and was re-elected vice mayor by council earlier this month. He had been fire chief for 20 years. Altice joined the fire department in 1963 and served as chief from 1977 to 1984. He was presented a lifetime achievement award by town council in 2008.
 
A Fallen Hero: Captain Brown
 
Never Forget

*SEDALIA, Mo. -- A Sedalia firefighter died Thursday night in a Columbia hospital after he was badly burned in a fire here last week.
Rick Morris, a 33-year veteran of the Sedalia Fire Department, died at University Hospital in Columbia, said hospital house manager Lisa Wilkinson.
Morris had been at the hospital since April 8. He suffered second- and third-degree burns over half his body while fighting a house fire at 1209 S. Kentucky Ave.
Mayor Bob Wasson said that Morris' death is "really a tragic thing. It's been an up-and-down thing for the last few days. I was just in hopes we wouldn't get that call.
"Morris was burned during a flashover, which happens when a fire rolls over a gap because of intense heat. He was wearing fire apparatus that protected his lungs, and he received immediate first aid from his fellow firefighters at the house. He was airlifted to Columbia.Just after the accident, the city issued a statement that doctors expected Morris to recover.
Fire Chief Mike Ditzfeld Thursday evening declined to speak to the Democrat, and deferred to a news release from the City of Sedalia. In the release, Ditzfeld said: "We are extremely saddened by the tragic loss of a man who spent three decades serving our community. I ask the community to join my department and me in keeping Mary Lou Morris and her family in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with this tragedy.
"The mayor, City Council and city employees "express their deepest sympathies to the Morris family during this difficult time. Rick Morris was a dedicated professional who touched the lives of many people, not only on the job but as a member of our community, during his long career with the Sedalia Fire Department," the news release said. "Rick will be missed by his fellow firefighters, the department and the City of Sedalia.
"Deputy Chief Don Meier told the Democrat last week that, aside from cuts, sprains and a car accident, "This is the first major firefighter injury I can remember.
"The International Association of Firefighters Local 823 had established a fund for the Morris family at U.S. Bank.
Bulletin approved by Fallen Heroes
www. fallenheroesfoundation.com
       Our hearts & thoughts go out to FF Morris' family, we are very sorry to hear about any FF lost in the Line of Duty. (As a Fire wife I worry about it every time he leaves for a 24hr shift.)
Thank you all again for the service you provide your communities, you are not thanked nearly enough for the sacrifices you & your families make.