Toledo's Fire Fighters
Memorial List of 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 # I 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 - 114
St. 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 Two
George Lutife
Louis M. Ziebar
Raymond A. Romeos
Eugene McHugh
Ralph L. Wiesenberg
Nicholas Seybold
Volunteer Firemen in Toledo's Early Days (From the Blade)
A Profile of the Fire Alarm Operators (circa 1930s)
These Men Hear Alarms of the City: Alert Operators Responsible for Speed of Fire Department
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 (PDF, 3 p.)
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*
*There was no link to an article on William H. Young
