Honoring Fire Fighters Who
Sacrificed All In The Line Of Duty

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 80 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
Jake Konys, Lieutenant, CFD, IAFF Local 93 President – Trustee
Walter Zimmerer, Retired Chief, CFD – Trustee
Peter Jedick, Retired Lieutenant, CFD – Trustee
Brian Gallagher, Retired 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 DONATE button in the main menu at the top of the page. Contributions can be made by credit card (Stripe), 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

 

Rededication of the Fire Memorial (St. Patricks Day 2019)

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.

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

     

     

     

    MEMORIAL

    Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Honors Fallen Fire Fighter Johnny Tetrick March 17, 2024

    Cleveland Fire Memorial Ceremony, Honoring Johnny Tetrick (St. Patricks Day 2024)

    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).