These firefighters have made the ultimate sacrifce in the performance of their duty.
Assistant Engineer George Carleton Killed May 22, 1892
George Carleton, assistant engineer of South St. Paul
Engine Co. No. 2 was killed when he fell into the fly wheel
of the Stock Yard's feed elevator. Carleton had been a member
of Engine Co. No. 2 for 18 months and was held in high esteem
by his entire company.
Firefighter Jay Bloemers Killed June 2, 1968
A South St. Paul firefighter for six years,
Jay Bloemers was killed while working at the "Coast-To-Coast"
fire at 121 North Concord Street. Bloemers was working as
part of a "mop-up" crew, dousing remaining embers.
He was killed when welds on the aerial ladder failed causing
the ladder to collapse. Impaled on the handle which directed
the nozzle of the ladder, Bloemers was pronounced dead on
arrival at St. Paul's Ramsey Hospital.
Captain John Heuer
Firefighter Erling Armstrong
Firefighter Richard Neikirk Killed January 11, 1974
Shortly before midnight January 11, 1974
a tremendous propane explosion that demolished an apartment
complex and killed four people rocked the City of West St.
Paul. Those killed were West St. Paul Firefighters Erling
Armstrong, Richard Neikirk and Captain John Heuer. The other
victim was Mrs. Dodge Petersen the apartment caretaker's wife.
We will always remember our lost brothers
“Firemen are going to get
killed. When they join the department they face that
fact. When a man becomes a fireman his greatest act
of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after
that is all in the line of work. . . Firefighters do
not regard themselves as heroes because they do what
the business requires.”
Edward F. Croker, FDNY
Chief of Department, 1899 - 1911
