EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Tennessee firefighters:
Firefighter Jeffrey Arick, age 45, of the Memphis Fire Department, suffered a heart attack and died at home on 8/8/20, several hours after responding to and working at an MVA to coordinate an extended patient extrication from the vehicle.
Engineer Malcolm Arrington, age 54, of the Nashville Fire Department died on 9/1/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Captain William “Mike” Brooks, age 59, of the Nashville Fire Department, died on 2/1/2022 due to complications of COVID-19.
Lieutenant Roger Estes, age 77, of the South Claiborne Volunteer Fire Department, was directing traffic at a fire department fundraiser on 7/4/22, when he was struck by a passing truck. He was immediately treated and transported to the hospital where he died due to the injuries sustained in the accident. The PSOB Claim was approved in November 2023.
Lieutenant Travis Isabel, age 52, of the Memphis Fire Department, died on 9/14/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Lieutenant Richard “Rick” Miller, age 69, of the Henderson County Fire Department, responded to an alarm activation at a school on Friday, 12/1/2023. Shortly after arriving home after the call, he had a heart attack. He was transported to the hospital where he died.
Firefighter/Driver Jeffrey Norman, age 51, of the Memphis Fire Department, became trapped while fighting a residential structure fire on 7/19/23. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he died due to his injuries. Three other firefighters were injured. Arson was the cause of the fire, which started in a dumpster adjacent to the house.
Lieutenant Darin Pasold, age 52, of the Hohenwald Fire Department, died on 11/27/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Lieutenant Roy Sewell, age 27, of the North Tazewell Volunteer Fire Department, died 4/24/2023 while responding to a helicopter landing zone for a medical call. The truck he was driving left the roadway and rolled down a steep embankment. Roy Sewell was fatally injured and was declared dead at the scene.
Captain Clifford Smelcer, age 69, of the Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Department, died on 9/17/2020 due to complications of COVID-19.
Lieutenant Julian “Skill” Wilson Jr., age 59, of the Fayette County Fire Department, died on 1/23/2022 due to complications of COVID-19.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2024 Roll of Honor.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
- The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
- The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
