Honoring Fire Fighters Who
Sacrificed All In The Line Of Duty
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WHO WE ARE

The Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund (CFFMF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization registered with the Ohio Secretary of State and the IRS.

We were incorporated in 1993 with the sole purpose of building a memorial to honor the 77 brave Cleveland Fire Fighters who gave their lives in the line of duty.

In 2007 we dedicated the memorial, a colorful fiberglass statue of two fire fighters putting out large flames created by nationally acclaimed sculptor Luis Jimenez. The Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund is overseen by a Board of Trustees who are committed to maintaining a dignified memorial to those who have given their lives to the protection of the residents and visitors of the City of Cleveland.

The CFFMF Board of Trustees are:

Jerry Zimmerer, CFD Lieutenant – President
Dean Murad, CFD Lieutenant – Vice President
Timothy O’Toole, CFD Retired Asst. Chief, – Secretary
Kenneth Latkovic, CFD Captain – Treasurer
Anthony Luke, CFD Chief of Division- Trustee
Francis Lally, Lieutenant, CFD, IAFF Local 93 President – Trustee
Walter Zimmerer, Retired Chief, CFD – Trustee
Peter Jedick, Retired Lieutenant, CFD – Trustee
Brian Degardyn, CFD Captain – Trustee

CFD MEMORIAL UPDATE

2014-11-24 13.34.51

In 2023 we spent over $65,000 for much needed repairs to the memorial statue, plaza and drainage system. We were able to raise these funds thanks to the generous support of the late Sam Miller plus contributions from both active and retired fire fighters and the general public.  

Hopefully, the memorial will remain in good shape for the foreseeable future. However, emergency repairs can develop quickly. So we are creating an emergency repair fund for future repairs. 

Anyone interested in contributing to the CFFMF repair fund please click the red DONATE button on the dashboard above to donate. Contributions can be made by credit card, through PayPal or by sending a check or money order to this address:

Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund
c/o Cleveland Fire Department Headquarters
1645 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

The Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund (CFFMF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization registered with the Ohio Secretary of State and the IRS so all contributions are tax deductible.

CFD MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

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Contact CFFMF

The Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund (CFFMF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization registered with the Ohio Secretary of State and the IRS.

If you have questions about how you can help contribute to our campaign, please fill out this form and a member of the Memorial Fund will respond to you as soon as possible.

Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund
c/o Cleveland Fire Department Headquarters
1645 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

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Fallen Firefighters

NAME NAME AND PLACE ON MEMORIAL DATE OF

DEATH

 DATE OF INJURY COMPANY INCIDENT
Paul N. Aukens Paul Aukins
panel 1, number 1		 2/27/1869 2/24/1869 Engine Co. 1 Died from injuries after being buried by falling debris at fire in the New England Block, 45 Broadway.
John C. Sturges John C. Sturges
panel 1 , number 2		 8/25/1870 8/25/1870 Engine Co. 5 Accident with hose cart.  Pinned up against left wheel of steamer while tending fire box.
Henry O. Loomis Henry O. Loomis
panel 1, number  3		 2/14/1873 1/16/1873 Captain
Protection Co.		 Thrown from salvage wagon at St. Clair & Wood Streets while responding to an alarm..
Samuel A. Fitch Samuel Fitch
panel 1, number  4		 4/10/1879 same date Ladder Co. 2 Thrown from apparatus in a collision with Pearl Street street car while responding to an alarm.
John F. Maher John F. Maher
panel 1, number  5		 9/11/1879 – – – – Engine Co. 13 Died from effects of consumption contracted in department service.
John T. Gillson John T. Gillson
panel 1, number  6		 6/6/1882 4/10/1882 Captain
Ladder Co. 2		 Died from the effects of inhaling sulfuric acid while working at a fire at Powell Tool Company at Winslow and Elm Streets in the Flats.
Henry C. Harmon, Jr. Henry C. Harmon
panel 1, number  7		 1/15/1884 1/6/1884 Engine Co. 12 Died from complications from the cold and exposure while working at the Park Theater fire.
Henry Gensert Henry Gensert
panel 1, number  8		 6/11/1887 same date Ladder Co. 2 Thrown from Chemical B (manned by members of Ladder Co. 2) while en route to Box 125
Timothy Graham Timothy Graham
panel 1, number  9		 10/20/1888 10/17/1888 Cadet in training Died as a result of injuries from fall while training on newly acquired Pompier ladder.
Samuel Peace Samuel Pease
panel 1, number  10		 5/18/1891 – – – – Engine Co. 5 Died as a result of abscess caused from a fall from apparatus months earlier..
Henry Ressler Henry Ressler
panel 1, number  15		 10/26/1891 same date Lieutenant
Ladder Co. 1		 Died as a result of injuries suffered in a fall from a ladder during a drill.
John Grady John Grady
panel 1, number  11		 11/15/1891 same date Captain
Engine Co. 1		 Injured while working at Scott & Foreman Co. fire downtown.
Michael J. Howley Michael Howley
panel 1, number  12		 12/ 3/1891 11/15/1891 Engine Co. 6 Injured while fighting fire in Scott & Foreman Co. block on Frankfort Street that destroyed a total of 10 buildings.
Willis Hizer Willis Hizer
panel 1, number  13		 9/29/1894 same date Ladder Co. 1 Injured when thrown from ladder truck en route to Box 9 and died as a result of those injuries.
Michael Welch Michael Walsh
panel 1, number  14		 9/12/1896 9/10/1896 Engine Co. 1 Fell from hose cart en route to a fire, taken to a hospital and died of those injuries.
William A. Reynolds William A. Reynolds
panel 1, number  16		 8/15/1897 same date Captain

Engine Co. 8

 Collapsed and died while working at a fire at 314 Starkweather Ave.
William B. MacFeeters William B. MacFeeters
panel 1, number  17		 12/23/1897 same date Lieutenant

Engine Co. 1

 Fell down open elevator shaft from fourth floor of Powers Block on Frankfort Street during a fire.
Sylvester Esterle Sylvester Esterle
panel 1, number  18		 7/14/1898 7/1/1898 Engine Co. 8 Driver, thrown from steamer on Jefferson Street hill en route to alarm at Hemry Box Works, 132 Jefferson Street.
William H. Roth William Roth
panel 1, number  19		 3/24/1899 same date Lieutenant

Engine Co. 7

 Injured by collapse of floor at fire in the Cleveland Machine Screw Works, 325-89 Perkins Avenue.  The fire started in Dangler Stove Works next door.
Sheldon Wright Sheldon Wright
panel 1, number  21		 8/19/1901 same date Bat. Chief

Battalion 5

 Collapsed after returning from fire at Cleveland Storage Co., Scranton and Girard.
Patrick H. Joyce Patrick Joyce
panel 1, number  22		 12/ 4/1902 same date Engine Co. 14 Trapped under falling walls at fire in factory of Likly & Rockett Case and Hamilton Streets.
Joseph L. Flaherty Joseph L. Flaherty
panel 1, number  20		 4/20/1903 4/20/1903 Hose Co. 2 Tripped in dark in dormitory at Station 35 and fell down pole hole opening.
Robert Reid Robert Reid
panel 1, number  23		 11/16/1903 same date Ladder Co. 2 Trapped under collapse of building used as car barns, 1313 Pearl Street.  Died at hospital.
Robert Duffy Robert Duffy
panel 1, number  24		 11/16/1903 same date Ladder Co. 2 Trapped under collapse of building used as car barns, 1313 Pearl Street.  Killed instantly.
James Schweda James Schweda
panel ,1 number  25		 11/16/1903 same date Ladder Co. 2 Trapped under collapse of building used as car barns, 1313 Pearl Street.  Killed instantly.
William D. Rowe William D. Rowe
panel 1, number  26		 3/10/1906 3/ 9/1906 Engine Co. 3 Injured in accident with trolley car on Central Avenue opposite Station No. 3
Herman David Herman David
panel 1, number  27		 6/19/1911 same date Engine Co. 13 Thrown from engine on Dille Road hill en route to fire at Grasselli Chemical Company.
James R. Killoran James R. Killoran
panel 1, number  28		 10/26/1915 same date Captain

Hose Co. 6

 Accident between apparatus and street car at East 43 and Central Avenue while responding to shed fire at 2418 E. 61st Street.  Six men were injured and Captain  Killoran died later of his injuries.
William P. Rush, Sr. William P. Rush, Sr.
panel 1, number  29		 5/11/1917 same date Lieutenant

Engine Co. 27

 Died of injuries suffered when thrown from horse drawn wagon of Engine 27 at Lakeside and West 3rd en route to alarm at West 3rd and the railroad crossing.
William J. Haley William J. Haley
panel 1, number  30		 2/20/1921 same date Engine Co. 12 Accident responding to 2223 West 61 Street (Box 878) .
Patrick H. Jordan Patrick Jordan
panel 1, number  31		 6/3/1921 same date Captain
Engine Co. 4		 Died of injuries suffered by fall through pole hole at quarters.
Walter Reed Walter Reed
panel 1, number  32		 10/23/1923 same date Bat. Chief
Battalion 8		 Died from effects of carbon monoxide poisoning after being overcome at fire in American Tent and Awning Co., 12006 Euclid Ave.
Richard Elwood 11/30/1928 11/18/1928 Ladder Co.5 Died from injuries after falling through a floor at a fire at 3114 West 32nd St.
Arthur E. Stanbury Arthur Stansbury
panel 1, number  33		 12/26/1928 same date Ladder Co. 8 Died of injuries when thrown from truck at E. 79th and Cedar after truck skidded into a pole en route to fire at 7713 Central Ave.
Daniel J. O’Laughlin Daniel O’Laughlin
panel 1, number  34		 3/20/1932 3/16/1932 Engine Co. 28 Died as a result of exposure during a fire on March 16th at Century Power Building.
Michael Bolivar Michael Bolivar
panel 1, number  35		 11/26/1932 same date Engine Co. 19 Died as a result of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident en route to alarm on E. 77 Street.
Fred E. Brown Fred Brown
panel 1, number  36		 2/ 8/1935 same date Lieutenant
Engine Co. 13		 Died of injuries sustained at fire in Atlas Steel Supply Co., 4401 Trumbull Avenue.
Leo A. Murphy Leo Murphy
panel 1, number  37		 5/ 5/1935 same date Lieutenant
Engine Co. 26		 Died from injuries suffered when thrown from apparatus in accident at East 79th Street and Woodland en route to false alarm at 7600 Platt Avenue.
Roy Haylor Roy Haylor
panel 1, number  38		 12/11/1938 12/11/1938 Captain
Engine Co. 10		 Died of effects of chronic coronary thrombosis from fumes inhaled at the Luna Park Fire, Woodland Avenue and Woodland Road .
Charles W. Klocksen Charles Klocksen
panel 2, number  1		 3/31/1943 same date Lieutenant
Ladder Co. 6		 Collapsed and died at fire in Oster Manufacturing Co., 2057 East 61st Street
Patrick J. Mangan Patrick Mangan
panel 2, number  2		 3/11/1944 same date Engine Co. 20 Trapped under collapsing wall in fire at Cleveland Union Stockyards, 3200 West 65th Street.
Norman H. Kitzerow Norman Kitzerow
panel 2, number  3		 3/11/1944 same date Engine Co. 20 Trapped under collapsing wall in fire at Cleveland Union Stockyards, 3200 West 65th Street.
James J. Cull James J. Cull
panel 2, number  4		 4/19/1945 4/17/1945 Engine Co. 34 Driver of Engine Co. 34.  Died of injuries when thrown from apparatus in vehicle accident.
Theodore P. Brenyas Theodore Brenyas
panel 2, number  5		 3/26/1947 same date Captain
Engine Co. 23 (serving as acting battalion chief)		 Trapped under falling debris and walls of Franklin Blvd. Methodist Church, West 32nd Street and Franklin Blvd.
Paul I. Green Paul I. Green
panel 2, number  6		 1/16/1948 same date Hose Co. 2 Trapped under collapsing structure at  Russo Wine Co. fire, 2807 Lorain Avenue.
Harry H. Spencer Harry Spencer
panel 2, number  7		 1/16/1948 same date Engine Co. 6 Trapped under collapsing structure at  Russo Wine Co. fire, 2807 Lorain Avenue.
John J. Kilbane John J. Kilbane
panel 2, number  8		 5/12/1949 same date Engine Co. 19 Collapsed at fire in  Milmar Company, a furniture manufacturer, 5213 Euclid Ave.
Henry F. Lange Henry F. Lange
panel 2, number  9		 7/ 9/1949 same date Lieutenant
Ladder Co. 13		 Collapsed from heart attack and died at small garage fire at 16326 St. Clair Ave.
Joseph W. Vlasty Joseph Vlasaty
panel 2 , number  10		 2/25/1956 same date Engine Co. 24 Died from a heart problem encountered at Saron Packaging Company, 3131 W. 31st. Street.
John W. Poe, Sr. Jack W. Poe
panel 2, number  11		 9/27/1959 same date Captain
Engine Co. 17		 Overcome by smoke, collapsed, and died at Ideal Macaroni Company fire, East 20th Street and Scovill Avenue.
Charles A. Prymmer Charles Prymmer
panel 2, number  12		 1/ 7/1960 same date Bureau of First
Aid and Rescue		 Collapsed and died while working at three-story apartment building fire, 1846 East 90th Street.
Walter A. Kress Walter Kress
panel 2, number 13		 12/ 1/1962 same date Captain
Engine Co. 24		 Collapsed and died as a result of a grass fire at W. 48 & Park.
John J. Finucan John J. Finucan
panel 2, number  14		 2/ 8/1963 same date Engine Co. 29 Overcome, collapsed, and died at fire in 2½ story dwelling at 10312 Somerset Avenue
Kenneth F. Jacklitz Kenneth F. Jacklitz
panel 2, number  15		 2/ 9/1963 same date Lieutenant
Engine Co. 7		 Collapsed and died while working at fire in abandoned Penn Square Hotel, 1922 East 55th Street.
Robert J. Ternansky Robert Ternansky
panel 2, number  16		 2/ 9/1963 same date Battalion 4 aide Died from injuries incurred by falling concrete and section of coping and parapet at fire in 3 story apartment, 1706 East 85th Streets.
Edwin J. Hart Edwin J. Hart
panel 2, number  17		 8/13/1963 same date Lieutenant
Engine Co. 3		 Trapped under debris at Avis Truck fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E.
John T. McKenna John T. McKenna
panel 2, number  18		 8/13/1963 same date Engine Co. 14 Blown into the street in explosion at Avis Truck Fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E.
Robert H. Jones Robert H. Jones
panel 2, number  19		 8/15/1963 8/13/1963 Engine Co. 3 Died as a result of injuries suffered from flying debris from explosion at Avis Truck Fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E.
Robert L. Marquard Robert L. Marquard
panel 2, number  20		 9/ 1/1963 8/13/1963 Ladder Co. 7 Died as a result of extensive burns from explosion at Avis Truck Fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E.
Ralph E. Simon Ralph E. Simon
panel 2, number  21		 8/ 4/1966 same date Engine Co. 33 Injured by explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W.
John A. Petz John A. Petz
panel 2, number  22		 8/ 4/1966 same date Rescue
Squad 2		 Injured by explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W.
Charles G. Doehner Charles G. Doehner
panel 2, number  23		 8/ 4/1966 same date Rescue
Squad 2		 Died from injuries suffered in explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W.
Joseph G. Toolis Joseph G. Toolis
panel 2, number  24		 8/ 4/1966 same date Ladder Co. 12 Injured by explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W.
Stanley W. Lawson, Sr. Stanley Lawson
panel 2, number  25		 12/24/1966 same date Ladder Co. 5 Collapsed at station after returning from fire in 3 story apartment, 2835 West 25th
David W. Hunger David W. Hunger
panel 2, number  26		 10/14/1967 same date Engine Co. 7 Injured in apparatus accident with auto at East 40th Street and Central Avenue en route to false alarm at East 61st Street and Central Avenue
Dennis J. Connors Dennis J. Connors
panel 2, number  27		 12/15/1968 same date Lieutenant
Ladder Co. 12		 Died of injuries suffered when falling through floor at fire in dwelling at 12310 Erwin Avenue SW.
George J. Solloway George J. Solloway
panel 2, number  28		 3/13/1969 same date Engine Co. 13 Collapsed while working at a fire at Smerda Music House, 5800 Broadway.
John D. Ruszkowski John D. Ruszkowski
panel 1, number  39		 4/15/1969 4/ 1/1969 Engine Co. 11 Collapsed at fire in commercial garage, 10200 Meech Avenue, and never regained consciousness.
John J. Gallagher John J. Gallagher
panel 1, number  40		 6/ 2/1969 same date Captain
Engine Co. 23		 Collapsed at fire at St. Anthony Home for Boys, 8301 Detroit Avenue
Salvatore Mazzola Jr. Salvatore Mazzola
panel 1, number  41		 1/15/1970 same date Engine Co. 36 Collapsed and died in station after returning from fire in vacant dwelling, 3720 E. 131 Street.
Joseph A. DeCrane Joseph A. DeCrane
panel 1, number  42		 7/22/1972 same date Ladder Co. 12 Died from injuries suffered when thrown from ladder truck en route to alarm at S.S.Kresge Company, 2180 Brookpark Road.
Frank L. Bonacci Frank L. Bonacci
panel 1, number  43		 10/10/1972 same date Engine Co. 6 Collapsed while working at fire in apartment house, 18518 Harvard Ave.
Edward J. Gresky, Jr. Edward J. Gresky
panel 2, number  29		 2/12/1974 same date Rescue
Squad 1		 Died from burns and injuries suffered after falling through floor at a fire in a vacant 4 story brick commercial building, 1430 West 9th Street.
John W. McNamee John W. McNamee
panel 2, number  30		 12/ 7/1974 same date Rescue
Squad 1		 Overcome, collapsed, and died while involved in rescue operations at Hawley House hotel fire, 229 St. Clair Avenue
Richard F. Ward Richard Ward
panel 2, number  31		 12/ 3/1983 same date Lieutenant
Engine Co. 9		 Collapsed in quarters after returning from a high rise drill.
Daniel R. Pescatrice Daniel R. Pescatrice
panel 2, number  32		 12/31/1985 same date Engine Co. 22 Trapped and overcome in fire at Milner Electric Company, 3804 St. Clair Avenue
Edward M. Carey Edward M. Carey
panel 2, number  33		 6/18/1995 3/28/1979 Captain
Engine Co. 13		 Was in a coma for 16 years as a result of oxygen deprivation following a fall caused by a rotten step while searching the basement of the Barkwell School, 5295 Barkwell..
Richard G. Nickels 4/3/2012 9/2/1983 Captain Ladder Co. 2 Was exposed to biological waste at a working fire at 1816 W. 50th st. Captain Nickels became ill with Hepatitis C and was hospitalized with liver failure. After years of battling the disease, he succumbed to the illness.
Richard A. Petras 8/15/2020 Lieutenant of Fire Training Academy Contracted COVID 19 during a national pandemic. Rich worked through the pandemic serving the vital role of training members of the division despite the pandemic. Rich battled the illness prior to succumbing losing his battle with the illness.
Johnny Tetrick 11/19/2022 11/19/2022 Engine 22 Died from injuries after being struck by a vehicle at a high rate of speed while attending to victims at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on the shoreway.
Panel, Number refers to name position on current monument in Willard Park

                 Research and compilation by the Western Reserve Fire Museum at Cleveland.  Direct questions to museum (216 664 6312 museum).


Project Update

CFD Memorial Update

The restoration of the Cleveland Firefighter Memorial figures is complete. The figures will be reinstalled on Tuesday March 12th. The work was overseen by ICA Art Conservation Group and completed by Thomarios, an Akron based company that specializes in coatings for everything from spacecraft to historic building restoration. We are excited about the finished work and look forward to many years of continued tribute to those Cleveland Firefighters who have made the supreme sacrifice.
This work would not have been possible without the generous donations of the members of the Cleveland Fire Department, its retirees and the generous donations of the late Mr. Sam Miller. We thank you for your continued support.
We will conducting a Re-Dedication of the memorial at the beginning of the annual St. Patrick’s Day memorial hosted by the Cleveland Firefighters Shamrock Club. We invite all members, retirees and their families to the event to both honor the fallen firefighters and to view the revitalized memorial. The ceremony begins at 12:30 on Sunday March 17th at the corner of Erieside Ave. and Lerner Way.
We still have some additional work to be completed on the memorial site that will occur over the coming months. Once completed we look forward to many years of tribute to the memory of those firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you all for your contributions and support which have made this possible. You embody the spirit to “Never Forget”.
CFD Memorial Committee

CFD Memorial Committee

Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Re-Dedication Ceremony St. Patrick’s Day 2019

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17, 2019

Rededication of the Fire Memorial Video

#CLEstpats Cleveland Fire Shamrock Club Memorial and Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Rededication.

Posted by Cleveland Fire on Sunday, March 17, 2019