David Campbell Memorial Association

10/20/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Kaitlyn Gallagher of the USDA Forest Service, headquartered in Pineville, Louisiana died on October 14, 2026. Kaitlyn and another firefighter were operating a UTV while deployed to the Broken Creek Fire in the Kisatchie National Forest. A tree fell and struck the vehicle, injuring both firefighters. Kaitlyn would succumb to the injuries and the other firefighter would be transported to the hospital for non-life threatening treatment. Kaitlyn was 24 years old with two years of service. Our condolences go out to Kaitlyn’s family and the members of the USDA Forest Service. May she rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

10/15/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Rick Fuentes of the Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department in Buckholts, Texas died on October 11, 2026. On October 11th, Rick was driving the fire apparatus to a grass fire when the apparatus left the road and rolled over. Rick sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Rick was 26 years old with unknown years of service. Our condolences go out to Rick’s family and the members of the Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

10/15/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Andrew Brokes of the Durham Fire Department in Durham, North Carolina died on October 8, 2026. On October 8th, Andrew responded with his crew to a structure fire. While doing an interior search, Andrew was caught in a roof collapse and suffered fatal injuries at the fire scene. Two other firefighters were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Andrew was 24 years old with 5 years of service. Our condolences go out to Andrew’s family and the members of the Durham Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

10/13/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter/Paramedic Chuck Jones of the Council Bluffs Fire Department in Council Bluffs, Iowa died on October 8, 2026. On October 5th, Chuck responded with his crew to a residential fire. After extricating a resident from the home, Chuck told fellow firefighters that he didn’t feel well and could not reenter the structure. He went to rehab to finish out the incident. Later that day, while responding to a medical call and attending to a patient in the ambulance, Chuck had to exit the ambulance. Fellow firefighters realized he was suffering a stroke. He was transported to the hospital via fire engine and later moved to a higher level of care facility. Chuck would pass away three days later on October 8th. Chuck was 52 years old with 19 years of service. Our condolences go out to Chuck’s family and the members of the Council Bluffs Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

09/26/2026

The Story Of The Portland Firefighter Memorial

Rebuilding And Refocusing the Memorial (part 10 of 12)

Throughout the first decade of the 21st century, Portland Fire conducted a comprehensive upgrade and remodel of fire stations. One such place was Station 21, located on the riverbank at the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge. Upon its completion on November 24, 2014, a small area of pavers to the north, between the Eastbank Esplande and the Willamette River, resulted. It was envisioned as a place to build a proper memorial to Portland’s Fallen Firefighters. While the David Campbell Memorial (DCM) had been the home of this honor for nearly a century, it was felt this move could improve the presentation of these important stories. The project languished for a few years, having nothing more than a rendering to project the potential. Funds were raised, but no action would occur until 2020. An effort entered the city planning processes but quickly identified a number of challenges, including flood zones, environmental zones, proximity to a protected waterway, and existence in the shadow of an interstate freeway. The location was abandoned for those and other reasons. The need to properly display fallen members in a public way remained. A decision to modify the entire memorial triangle, at the site of the DCM, would result. The plan was to restore the languishing DCM and add a Portland Firefighter Memorial Plaza adjacent to it, thus creating a comprehensive memorial plaza. This would include the DCM, the Messenger Bell, the Memorial Wall, and various interpretive elements to better share the significance of the site.

09/18/2026

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09/18/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter/Paramedic Eric Handlin of Odessa Fire Rescue in Odessa, Texas died on September 4, 2026. While on duty on August 20th, Eric responded to multiple emergency calls. On the morning of August 21st, Eric did not report to roll call. A search of the fire station found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. Immediate medical care was provided and he was transported to the hospital. He underwent surgery and remained hospitalized until September 4th when he succumbed to a stroke. Eric was 53 years old with 25 years of service. Our condolences go out to Eric’s family and the members of Odessa Fire Rescue. May he rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

09/03/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Juan Antonia Smith II of Rockdale County Fire Rescue in Conyers, Georgia died on June 12, 2026. On that day, Juan was riding in the jumpseat of a ladder truck responding to an emergency. The truck was making a left turn when it overturned and Juan was ejected and pinned under the vehicle. Juan suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Juan was 26 years old with 2 years of service. Our condolences go out to Juan’s family and the members of Rockdale County Fire Rescue. May he rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

08/26/2026

The Story Of The Portland Firefighter Memorial

An Expanding List of Fallen Firefighters (part 9 of 12)

Beginning in 2003, deep research on the history of Portland Fire would begin to take place. One discovery was of Portland Firefighters who died prior to retirement and received service-connected designation for their death. This would mean it was related to the job, even though it may not have occurred at an emergency scene. Included were death by cancer, heart/cardiovascular disease, and other health issues directly related to the job. Among those discoveries was a name that existed on the line of duty list in 1923 but was somehow forgotten. In an April 4, 1948 Oregonian article, it was stated that only 16 of the 19 name plates at the David Campbell Memorial were intact. Nothing was said about whose name plate was missing. In 2008, a list of eligible names were presented to the David Campbell Memorial Association, resulting in the addition of only 4 names to the roll call of fallen firefighters. This left many others unrecognized. In 2021, a resubmission of these names resulted in 39 additional members being recognized for losing their life in service to the citizens of Portland, bringing the total to 75. In late 2021, a Portland Firefighter would die of occupational cancer while still on the job, becoming member number 76. And in 2023, the family of a past member who died in 1981 would share compelling information that resulted in the addition of Roger Brandenburg, bringing the total to 77. A problem now existed…There was no public display to recognize these members.

08/25/2026

The DCMA has learned that Firefighting Helicopter Pilot Nicholas Dale of Helicopter Express in Chamblee, Georgia died on July 12, 2026. Nicholas was operating his helicopter in a firefighting operation on the Gold Mountain Fire when he crashed into the Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County, Colorado. Nicholas died in the crash. Nicholas was 56 years old with 31 years of service. Our condolences go out to Nicholas’ family and the members of Helicopter Express. May he rest in peace.

Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.