Toledo Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty, 1872-1976

St. Florian, heaven's patron of firefighters, who once was dedicated to the services of your fellowmen as an official in the army of Rome, look with kindly and professional eye upon your earthly force, desirous of the preserving of our fellowmen from the dangers to life and property.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, strong muscles, an instinct for prudent investigation and wise judgment.

Make us the terror of arsonists, the friends of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to the frightened, polite to the bores, strict with lawbreakers, and obstinate to temptations.

In troubles give us strength to be efficient, in times of great danger, give us the ability to be calm and enable us to impart assurance to those who verge on panic.

You know, beloved St. Florian, from the sacrifice of your own life for the sake of your faith, that the fireman's lot on earth is not always a pleasant one, but your own sense of duty that so pleased God, your courageous strength that so over-whelmed the devil and your saintly self-control, give us inspiration.

Make us fearless in practicing the laws of God as we are brave in protecting the lives and property of our fellowmen, and when we answer our final alarm, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to protect the throne of God as we have been to protect the city.

-A Firefighter's Prayer

Ewald E. Bode, July 28, 1961, Deputy Chief, Died as a result of burns received at explosion of gasoline truck at Anthony Wayne Trail and Vinton Street on June 10, 1961.

Glenn E. Carter, June 23, 1961, Badge 246, Died as a result of burns received at explosion of gasoline truck at Anthony Wayne Trail and Vinton Street on June 10, 1961.

Richard Donnelly, December 11, 1902

Died from injuries received at the Keifer Bros. Furniture, Dorr Street, Fire Box 171.

George J. Ehmann, October 29, 1937, District Chief Killed in collision at Lincoln and Lawrence Avenues, responding to a fire at Libbey High School.

Andrew J. Flynn, January 31, 1932, Captain

Died of injuries received when # 16 ladder was involved in accident with Community Traction Bus.

James P. Fakehany, January 12, 1944

Fell through floor at fire at Colony Block and burned to death.

James Fraser, January 3, 1894

Burned to death at King Elevator fire, body never found.

Louis W. Fuhr, March 22, 1969, Badge 427

Killed while responding to false alarm when #18 Pumper struck by automobile at Jackman and Laskey Road.

John M. Gallagher, September 19, 1900, Captain

Killed at a fire at Henry Rosen’s Junk Warehouse, corner of Vance and 13th St.

William G. Genson, July 10, 1961, Badge 435

Died as a result of burns received at explosion of gasoline truck at Anthony Wayne Trail and Vinton Street on June 10, 1961.

Robert G. Harrison, June 15, 1961, Badge 290

Died as a result of burns received at explosion of gasoline truck at Anthony Wayne Trail and Vinton Street on June 10, 1961.

John B. Kaintz, February 25, 1915

Died of injuries received at # 5 Fire Station while answering an alarm to the Wabash Railroad Roundhouse.

Bernard A. Orzechowski, January 31, 1932 Badge 55

Died of injuries received when # 16 ladder was involved in accident with Community Traction Bus.

Paul J. Quigley, February 14, 1931

Badge 130 - Killed at # 18’s when he fell during ladder drill.

Robert J. Pietras, June 21, 1969

Captain, died from injuries received fighting a fire at 2472 Lawton, Box 1151 on June 10, 1969.

Edward Radunz, June 21, 1932

Died of injuries from fall at Willys Parkway and Berdan.

Howard C. Rippel, February 17, 1948

Burned to death at fire at 1005 W. Woodruff Ave., Box

Chester A. Rybarczyk, September 2, 1967

Lieutenant, killed at 2nd Alarm, Box 1462, PeeWee's Bar, 5101 Suder Ave.

Thomas J. Smith, December 9, 1902

Killed by falling walls at Keifer Bros. Furniture Store - Dorr Street.

Emil M. Steck, Jr., November 16, 1947 Died of injuries received in accident Nov. 13, 1947 involving #1 pumper.

John C. Timmers, April 20, 1916

Badge 161 - Died from injuries received when # 2’s steamer ran over him at corner of Erie & Adams Streets, while responding to Box 34.

Albert T. Urie, December 11, 1916

Killed at the Paddock Merchandise Company Fire – 114 St. Clair Street.

John Viebrook, July 31, 1883

Fell from the top of the hose drying tower after returning from a fire.

John B. Ward, December 24, 1901, Captain Box 153, Nebraska & Hawley St. False Alarm, Captain

Ward was killed when #7 H & L collided with Oak Street car at Collingwood & Dorr St.

Edward J. Welch, December 11, 1916, Captain

Killed at the Paddock Merchandise Company Fire - 114St. Clair Street

James Welch, December 15, 1872

Was killed when he fell from a ladder passing hose at a fire at Ottawa and Lafayette.

Vanner E. Wendt, December 25, 1933

Badge 192 - Died of injuries received at fire on Suder Ave. was hit in the neck by nozzle.

Ralph H. Westfall, January 30, 1902

Died of injuries received at Henry Rosen’s Junk Warehouse Fire.

Kenneth L. Williams, September 20, 1958, Badge 16

Killed at fire at 1100 W. Central Avenue.

Oscar S. Wills, May 22, 1898, Captain

Was killed by falling walls at Dow & Snell Wholesale Grocery at Superior & Jefferson.

David D. Young, October 24, 1901

Died of injuries sustained when he fell through the pole hole at # 13’s Engine House.

Killed in Military Service During World War II

George Lutife

Louis M. Ziebar

Raymond A. Romeos

Eugene McHugh

Ralph L. Wiesenberg

Nicholas Seybold

A Few Fire Chiefs Remembered.

    * Division Chief Louis H. Elling 1915-1927

    * Capt. David Manley - Firefighter 1890-1916 and Inventor of Firefighting Helmet

    * Division Chief Fred T. Schlorf 1935-1946

    * Richard Lawler - Firefighter and District Chief 1881-1935

    * Charles (Scotty) Schneyer - Chief Fire Alarm Operator

    * Casimir Trepinski - Firefighter and Assistant Chief 1893-1935

    * Earl Walterschied - Firefighter and Chief Inspector 1920-1949

    * Joseph W. McLaughlin Firefighter and Deputy Chief 1907-1949

    * Joseph Kenney - Firefighter and District Fire Chief 1907-1950

    * Division Chief Karl B. Scheidler 1951-1952

    * Clarence Blanchard - District Chief and Head of Fire Prevention Bureau

    * Frank A. Lichtenwagner - Firefighter and District Chief 1920-1968

    * William H. Young- Firefighter and District Chief 1929-1968  

The Equipment

    * "Bertha" - The water-tower truck of the early 20th century

    * The Discontinuation of the Ages-Old Gong System of Station Alarms, from the Blade, Jan. 21, 1952.

    * The First Fire Engine Used in Toledo

    * The Toledo-Built Schacht Pumper

    * The Toledo-Built Schacht Aerial Truck

    * The fire tug controversy of 1908