Governor Pritzker and Fire Marshal Perez Honor Fallen Firefighters

Statement

Governor JB Pritzker and State Fire Marshal Matt Perez joined firefighters to honor and remember four fallen firefighters at the 29th Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony. During the ceremony, the Governor and Fire Marshal also honored firefighters who went above and beyond on the job, displaying courage, pride and honor while protecting communities across the state.

"This memorial is dedicated to the firefighters of Illinois, who have given their lives in the line of duty, and to those firefighters who heroically lead with courage, pride, and honor," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Michael, MaShawn, Medhi, and Garrett will live on in our memories, in the lives of those they've saved, and in the hearts of those they've touched. May their memories be a blessing."

"Today at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, we honored four of our bravest brothers who gave their lives in service to the people of Illinois," said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. "We will be forever grateful for their courage and ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties. They put the lives of others ahead of their own, which is our highest calling. I also want to personally thank every firefighter who was recognized today for their bravery in the line of duty during the Medal of Honor Ceremony. Illinois is home to a fire service that is second to none."

Loved ones of the fallen firefighters were presented with the "Death Duty Gold Badge" by the Fire Marshall during the ceremony. This year's honorees include:

Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Pickering of the Chicago Fire Department
Firefighter MaShawn Plummer of the Chicago Fire Department
Lieutenant Garrett Ramos of the Sterling Fire Department
Firefighter Mehdi Mourad of the Wabash Fire Protection District
"As firefighters, our members took an oath to protect the citizens and property of the various communities across Illinois. Each one of us take that oath very seriously. Today we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We will never ever forget them or their families. We also honor those whose actions went above and beyond the call of duty," said Chuck Sullivan President of Associated Fire Firefighters of Illinois. "While they will all say they were "Just doing their job" we all know it takes courage, guts and determination to do this job. The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI) proudly stands with our brothers, sisters and their families on this day, and every day."
Additionally, one firefighter was awarded the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism, by which the firefighter has demonstrated in great degree the characteristics of selflessness and personal courage above and beyond the call of duty, under adverse conditions, with the possibility of extreme personal risk.

Lieutenant Brian Kulaga, Cicero Fire Department
Seven firefighters were honored with the Medal of Valor award. The award is given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty. Recipients include:

Firefighter/EMT Richard Drabik, Chicago Fire Department
Firefighter/Paramedic Colin Fuhrmann, Collinsville Fire Department
Lieutenant Chad Busick, Danville Fire Department
Engineer Jason Milakovich, Evergreen Park Fire Department
Lieutenant Adrian Avelar, Sterling Fire Department
Firefighter Lucas Pfister, Sterling Fire Department
Firefighter Jeff Kimpel, Sterling Fire Department
Fifteen firefighters received the Firefighter Excellence Award for an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating excellence and professionalism in service to their fellow Illinoisans. Recipients include:
Calumet City Fire Department

Firefighter Scott Hinko
Centralia Fire Department

Firefighter Drake Tate
Centralia Fire Protection District

Engineer Ross Smith
Champaign Fire Department

Engineer Brian Smith
Danville Fire Department

Firefighter Easton Hoskins
Galesburg Fire Department

Captain James Pendergast
Firefighter Kyle Harms
Lockport Township Fire Protection District

Firefighter/Paramedic Dustin Vandermeir
Firefighter/Paramedic Christopher Isabelli
South Holland Fire Department

Firefighter/Paramedic Steven Devaney
Firefighter/Paramedic Alex Heavey
Firefighter/Paramedic Justin Wenk
Firefighter/Paramedic Luke DeYoung
Sterling Fire Department

Lieutenant Garrett Ramos
Firefighter Nick Hammer
In addition, twelve units received the Firefighter Excellence "Unit Citation" Awards for an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating excellence, teamwork, and professionalism in service to Illinois residents. Recipients include:

Bensenville Fire Protection District, Incident #21-3340

Battalion Chief Angel Reyes
Lieutenant Nevin Hahn
Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Sochacki
Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Walter
Firefighter/Paramedic Zach Schneeberger
Firefighter/Paramedic Mateo Valadez
Calumet City Fire Department, Incident #21-4139

Captain Tim McGanonn
Captain. Ron Tenzera
Engineer Steve Drew
Engineer Mike Ball
Engineer Aaron Borowski
Firefighter Rick Graser
Firefighter Chris Pierce
Firefighter Steve Uthe
Firefighter Alex James
Firefighter Cesar Garcia
Firefighter Ryan Banks
Calumet City Fire Department, Incident #21-2470

Captain Mike Flanagan
Captain Tom Dukups
Lieutenant Ryan Hornback
Engineer Chris Sullivan
Engineer Eric Wieser
Firefighter Bryan Lowery
Firefighter Joe Okichich
Firefighter Nick Panzcuk
Firefighter Mike Peterlin
Firefighter Piepenbrink
Firefighter Chuck Schultz
Firefighter Dan Vasilak
Centralia Fire Department, Incident #21-1790

Lieutenant Robert Smith, Jr.
Firefighter Jeff Kleiboeker (Huey Ferris Boulder Fire Protection District)
Champaign Fire Department, Incident #21-0003629

Lieutenant Mike Bayless
Engineer William Bleich
Firefighter James Rear
Lieutenant Jason Rector
Engineer Russ Houston
Firefighter Paul Doyle
Lieutenant Mathew Plutz
Engineer Stephen McConkey
Lieutenant Chad Pruitt
Firefighter Alex Kocher
Firefighter Evan Brewbaker
Lieutenant Bradley Diel
Engineer Jeremy Allen
Firefighter Justin Kaiser
Lieutenant Chip Haake
Engineer Cole Hunt
Firefighter Elliott Kraft
Firefighter Zachary Tish
Chicago Fire Department, Incident #21-006-1733-00

Firefighter/EMT David Pae
Captain/EMT Robert Fleckenstein
Firefighter/Paramedic Mario Cerna
Firefighter/Paramedic Wilfredo Rodriguez
Collinsville Fire Department, Incident #21-00057

Lieutenant Chris Castens
Firefighter/Paramedic Jim Wilderman
Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Gulledge
Firefighter/Paramedic John Canull
Firefighter/Paramedic Justin Verner
Lieutenant Frank Arnold
Firefighter Eric Freeman
Firefighter David Badgett
Danville Fire Department, Incident #21-0002378

Captain Sean O'Kane
Firefighter Kaleb Thompson
Evergreen Park Fire Department, Incident #21-2308

Captain Frederick Vollinger
Acting Lieutenant Andrew Turner
Engineer Raymond Fineron
Firefighter Austin Cangelosi
Firefighter Justin Rehnquist
Firefighter Michael Murphy
Firefighter Thomas Simich
Firefighter Robert Williams
Firefighter Colin Zofkie
Firefighter Anthony Schickel
Firefighter Larry Whitehorn
Galesburg Fire Department, Incident #0000734

Firefighter Anthony McKillip
Firefighter Kyle McGee
Firefighter Andrew Johnson
South Holland Fire Department, Incident #21-4300104

Firefighter Edward Ritzema
Firefighter/Paramedic Eric Kearney
Firefighter/Paramedic Tony Bruegmann
Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Lampkin
Firefighter/Paramedic Jon Sloop (Glenwood Fire Department)
Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Pelc (Glenwood Fire Department)
Homer-Sidney Fire Protection District, Incident #21-0000181

Lieutenant Jeremy Richards
Firefighter Mike Brann
Lieutenant. Corey Lilly
The State Fire Marshal Life Safety Award is given in recognition of the extraordinary efforts performed by individuals in furtherance of fire prevention and life safety. Three Life Safety Awards were presented. Recipients include:

Anthony Rodkey, Countryside Fire Protection District- Fire Department
Scott Johnson, OSFM Personnel- Operations
Fred Schneller, OSFM Personnel- Administration
The awards presented today recognized heroic actions during 2021. Nominations were reviewed and winners selected by the Illinois Fire Fighting Medal of Honor Committee.

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