Note: This list is not limited to U.S. Line of Duty Deaths. If you have information regarding a U.S. or International LODD, please let us know via e-mail Links to related news stories are also helpful in verifying information.

This list is for informational purposes only. Due to the nature of reporting deaths as they happen, some may later be ruled "Non-LODD" and may be noted as such months later. Listed here are known "on-duty" or "duty-related" deaths which still may be under investigation and later ruled not eligible for state and federal benefits. Deaths from illnesses, such as cancer, may not be included until final statistics for the year are released by the government.

• 12/26/99
  Washington Cancer Death
  Stephen A. Champlin, 50, Career Fire Captain
  Fort Lewis Fire Department - Fort Lewis, Washington
  Reported Cause: Liver Cancer; Categorized as LODD by department due to possible exposure to Hepatitis-B pending review by federal government
  
  
• 12/22/99
  Three Firefighters, Three Kids Die in Iowa Apartment House Fire
  Assistant Fire Chief Dave McNally, 48
  Firefighter Jason Bitting, 29
  Firefighter Nate Tuck, 39
  Keokuk Fire Department - Keokuk, Iowa
  Reported Cause: Injuries sustained on the fireground while searching for child trapped inside apartment house blaze; twin girls died after being rescued by the men.
  
  
• 12/21/99
  Mass. Firefighter Dies After Prank Call
  Theodore Ferrante, 43, Career Firefighter
  Revere Fire Department - Revere, Massachusetts
  Reported Cause: Apparent heart attack upon returning from a false alarm.
  
  
• 12/18/99
  Virginia Firefighter Killed in Squad Accident
  Bradley McNeer, 22, Volunteer Firefighter
  Chesterfield Fire Department (Bon Air VFD) - Chesterfield, Virginia
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Died from injuries sustained from fire apparatus accident (rescue squad) while responding to an alarm.
  
  
• 12/18/99
  Kansas City Battalion Chief Dies in Warehouse Fire
  John Tvedten, 47, Career Battalion Chief
  Kansas City Fire Department - Kansas City, Missouri
  Reported Cause: Died from smoke inhalation at warehouse fire after becoming lost; was in contact with crews during rescue effort.
  
  
• 12/15/99
  Louisiana Firefighter Killed in Crash
  Paul Ezernack, 28, Volunteer Firefighter
  North Sabine Fire Protection District - Zwolle, Louisiana
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Died from injuries sustained from tanker truck accident while responding to a grass fire.
  
  
• 12/13/99
  Ohio Firefighter Fallen by Heart Attack
  Gregory Rodgers, 50, Volunteer Firefighter
  Dresden Volunteer Fire Department - Dresden, Ohio
  Reported Cause: Apparent heart attack at barn fire.
  
  
• 12/10/99
  Maryland Firefighter Dies in Crash
  Roy K. Crago, 65, Volunteer Firefighter
  Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company - Fallston, Maryland
  Reported Cause: Apparatus Accident.
  
  
• 12/3/99
  Six Firefighters Die in Worcester Warehouse Fire
  Lt. Thomas E. Spencer, 42, of Worcester, Ladder Co. 2
  Firefighter Timothy P. Jackson, 51, Ladder Co. 2
  Firefighter James F. Lyons, 34, Engine Co. 3
  Firefighter Joseph T. McGuirk, 38, Engine Co. 3
  Firefighter Paul A. Brotherton, 41, Rescue Co. 1
  Firefighter Jeremiah M. Lucey, 38, Rescue Co. 1
  Worcester Fire Department - Worcester, Massachusetts
  Reported Cause: Trapped while searching warehouse; Largest loss of firefighters in a structure fire in 20 years. Two homeless people were charged in connection with starting the blaze.
  
  
• 11/29/99
  Chief Dies After Returning Home
  Alton L. Lewis, 55, Volunteer First Assistant Chief
  Montour Falls Fire Department - Montour Falls, New York
  Reported Cause: Heart attack upon returning to residence after responding to vehicle accident.
  
  
• 11/29/99
  Firefighter Struck Enroute to Call
  James McCay, 22, Career Firefighter
  City of Logan Fire Department - Logan, West Virginia
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Struck by vehicle while responding to a non-fire emergency on bicycle.
  
  
• 11/27/99
  Penn. Asst. Chief Dies After Falling Ill at Wildfire
  Wayne Yost, 54, Volunteer Asst. Fire Chief
  Cochranville Fire Company - Cochranville, Pennsylvania
  Reported Cause: Apparent heart attack at scene of structure fire and wildfire.
  
  
• 11/20/99
  Firefighter Collapses Enroute to Call
  Jack Garnett, 54, Volunteer Firefighter
  Quapaw Volunteer Fire Department - Quapaw, Oklahoma
  Reported Cause: Heart attack while responding to the scene of a grass fire.
  
  
• 11/18/99
  Veteran Lousiana Fire Chief Passes
  Fred Broussard, 69, Volunteer Fire Chief
  Maurice Volunteer Fire Department - Maurice, Louisiana
  Reported Cause: Heart attack at scene of fire.
  
  
• 11/16/99
  Jersey City Firefighter Collapses at Station
  Brian Andrew Lee, 38, Career Firefighter
  Fire Department of Jersey City - Jersey City, New Jersey
  Reported Cause: Collapsed at firehouse.
  
  
• 11/14/99
  Texas Firefighter Killed in Tanker Rollover
  Burt A. Bruecher, 46, Volunteer Firefighter
  Village of Pleak Volunteer Fire Department - Pleak, Texas
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Killed when tanker truck overturned while responding to the scene of a fire.
  
  
• 11/13/99
  Fire-Police Officer Dies from Injuries
  Walter Vaughan, 80, Volunteer Fire-Police
  Warminster Fire Department - Warminster, Pennsylvania
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Died from injuries sustained while directing traffic at the scene of a fire after being struck by vehicle.
  
  
• 11/7/99
  Mississippi Firefighter Dies in Crash
  David Zan Lancaster, 24, Volunteer Firefighter
  Elliott Volunteer Fire Department - Grenada, Mississippi
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Died in motor vehicle accident while responding to an alarm in personal vehicle.
  
  
• 11/4/99
  Heart Attack Claims NY Volunteer
  William Korte, 59, Volunteer Firefighter
  Southampton Fire Department - Southampton, New York
  Reported Cause: Heart attack at scene of automobile accident.
  
  
• 11/4/99
  Indiana Captain Dies from Crash Injuries
  Robert Ulrich, 57, Volunteer Fire Captain
  Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department - Laporte, Indiana
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Result of an apparatus accident responding to an alarm.
  
  
• 11/3/99
  Live Wire Kills Probationary Firefighter
  Jerry Wayne Ramey, 18, Volunteer Firefighter
  West Fork Volunteer Fire Department - West Fork, Arkansas
  Reported Cause: Electrocution; Electrocuted by downed power line at investigation of possible fire.
  
  
• 11/3/99
  Firefighter Dies After Falling Off Truck
  Michael Sims, 38, Volunteer Firefighter
  Highland Hose Company - Tarentum, Pennsylvania
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Fall from ladder truck while responding to an automatic alarm call.
  
  
• 10/29/99
  Wildland Firefighter Drowns
  David Pack, 63, State Wildland Employee
  Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture - Forestry Division
  Reported Cause: Asphyxiation; Drowned in pond while fighting a forest fire.
  
  
• 10/16/99
  Accident Claims California Wildfire Volunteer
  Karen Jane Savage, 44, Volunteer Firefighter
  Junction City Fire Department - Junction City, Calif
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Struck by a fire truck near scene of major wildfire.
  
  
• 10/5/99
  Captain Killed in Texas Accident
  William M. Bethune, 52, Career Fire Captain
  Texas City Fire Department - Texas City, Texas
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Apparatus accident enroute to emergency medical call. Two other firefighters were injured, one critically.
  
  
• 10/4/99
  Three Missouri Firefighters Electrocuted at Grass Fire; One Killed
  Jeff Thompson, 20, Volunteer Firefighter
  Howell County Rural Fire District #1 - West Plains, Missouri
  Reported Cause: Electrocution; came into contact with live wires while battling a grass fire.
  
  
• 10/3/99
  Firefighter Killed by Falling Boulder at Calif. Wildfire
  Gregory Pacheco, 21, Indian Reservation Firefighter
  "Penasco Five" Indian Hand Crew - New Mexico
  Reported Cause: Massive head injuries when a falling boulder hit him on the head.
  
  
• 9/30/99
  Hit-and-Run Crash Claims S.C. Firefighter
  Lewis "Rawhide" Anderson, 68, Volunteer Firefighter
  River Falls Volunteer Fire Department - Greenville County, South Carolina
  Reported Cause: Struck by tractor-trailer at accident scene; truck then fled the scene but the driver was later found and charged in connection with the crash.
  
  
• 9/16/99
  Indiana Firefighter Struck, Killed by Fire Truck
  Terri Hood, 31, Volunteer Firefighter
  McCulloch Volunteer Fire Department - Clark County, Indiana
  Reported Cause: Struck by fire truck in thick smoke at brush fire scene.
  
  
• 9/13/99
  Crash Kills Responding Volunteer
  Kenneth Cashman, 29, Volunteer Firefighter
  Auglaize Township Volunteer Fire Department - Auglaize Township, Ohio
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries; Car involved in accident with dump truck while responding to the fire station
  
  
• 8/27/99
  California Firefighter/EMT Found Dead During Wildfire
  Joseph Masto, 28, Career Firefighter
  Santa Barbara City Fire Department - Santa Barbara City, California
  Reported Cause: Unknown. Autopsy results inconclusive pending further test results. No signs of smoke inhalation, burns or serious injury.
  
  
• 8/26/99
  Florida Asst. Chief Collapses Rendering Aid
  David Nall, 40, Volunteer Asst. Chief
  Jay Fire Department - Jay, Florida
  Reported Cause: Heart attack after collapsing while rendering emergency medical care
  
  
• 8/16/99
  Arkansas Firefighter Dies From Gas Explosion Injuries
  Robert Wade Meshell, 30, Volunteer Firefighter
  Huttig Fire Department - Huttig, Arkansas
  Reported Cause: Severe Burns after gas tank explosion at RV fire
  
  
• 8/14/99
  Pennsylvania Firefighter Collapses, Dies After Rescue
  Frank Wood, 54, Volunteer Firefighter
  Flourtown Fire Department - Flourtown, Pennsylvania
  Reported Cause: Apparant heart attack.
  
  
• 8/8/99
  Midwest City, Okla. Firefighter Laid to Rest
  Jim Clark, 41, Career Firefighter
  Midwest City Fire Department - Midwest City, OK
  Reported Cause: Head and Internal Injuries after being struck by vehicle at accident scene on rain-soaked highway. First LODD in department's history.
  
  
• 8/6/99
  Ohio Chief Dies After Bonfire
  Michael Cupp, 48, Volunteer Fire Chief
  Cygnet Volunteer Fire Department - Cygnet, OH
  Reported Cause: Massive Heart Attack
  
  
• 8/5/99
  Dunstable, MA LODD
  Richard C. Bacon, 46, Volunteer Asst. Chief
  Dunstable Volunteer Fire Department - Dunstable, Massachusetts
  Reported Cause: Apparant heart attack
  
  
• 7/30/99
  Mount Marion, NY Firefighter Fallen At Car Fire
  Kenneth F. Clinch, 52, Volunteer Firefighter
  Mount Marion Fire Department - Mount Marion, NY
  Reported Cause: Undetermined
  
  
• 7/29/99
  Philadelphia Firefighter Collapses At Scene of Rowhouse Fire
  Richard Devine, 49, Career Firefighter
  City of Philadelphia Fire Department - Philadelphia, PA
  Reported Cause: Heart Attack after fighting structure fire
  
  
• 7/18/99
  Inmate Dies Battling Calif. Forest Fire
  Martin Stiles, 40, Volunteer Firefighter (Fully Trained Prison Volunteer)
  Los Angeles County, California Fire Camp Unit - Los Angeles, CA
  Reported Cause: Fell off 150-foot cliff while battling wildfire
  
  
• 7/15/99
  Missouri Firefighter Dies in Dive Exercise
  Bryan Pottberg, 25, Career Firefighter
  Lee's Summit, Missouri Fire Department - Lee's Summit, MO
  Reported Cause: Difficulty during routine dive rescue training exercise
  
  
• 7/11/99
  Lebanon, PA LODD
  Larry Lehman, 51, Volunteer Firefighter
  Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department - Lebanon, Pennsylvania
  Reported Cause: Cardiac Arrest while directing traffic
  
  
• 7/9/99
  D.C. Firefighter Hospitalized After Dog Attack Dies
  Costello N. "Colonel" Robinson, 64, Career Firefighter
  Washington, D.C. Fire/EMS Department - Washington, D.C.
  Reported Cause: Heart attack after being hospitalized following dog attack. Was city's senior firefighter.
  
  
• 7/7/99
  Alabama Captain Dies Commanding Trailer Fire
  Roger McEwen, 52, Volunteer Fire Captain
  Hanover Volunteer Fire Department - Hanover, PA
  Reported Cause: Massive heart attack
  
  
• 6/17/99
  Pittsburgh Firefighter's Death Ruled a Homicide
  Paul McGrath, 50, Career Firefighter
  City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire - Pittsburgh, PA
  Reported Cause: Heart attack attributed to hardening of the arteries; occured at arson fire
  
  
• 6/17/99
  Pittsburgh Firefighter's Death Ruled a Homicide
  Paul McGrath, 50, Career Firefighter
  City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire - Pittsburgh, PA
  Reported Cause: Heart attack attributed to hardening of the arteries; occured at arson fire
  
  
• 6/16/99
  Freak Training Accident Claims California Captain
  Thomas Moore, 38, Career Fire Captain
  City of Manteca Fire Department - Manteca, CA
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries from Fall in Training Exercise
  
  
• 6/13/99
  WV Volunteer Dies Responding to Call
  Arch Russell Sligar, Jr., 52, Volunteer Firefighter
  Bethany Volunteer Fire Department - Bethany, W.V.
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 6/13/99
  Secaucus, NJ Firefighter Fallen by Heart Attack
  Joseph Tagliareni Jr., 34, Volunteer Firefighter
  Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department - Secaucus, N.J.
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 6/11/99
  Merion, PA Firefighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack on Duty
  Philip R. Cirrito, 47, Career Firefighter
  Merion Fire Company - Ardmore, PA
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 6/9/99
  PA Firefighter Succumbs to January Heart Attack
  James R. Tolan, 55, Firefighter
  Dunmore FD - Dunmore, PA
  Reported Cause: Acute Heart Attack while operating at a fire on January 16th
  
  
• 6/4/99
  Veteran NYC Captain Dies After Getting Trapped Without Air
  Vincent Fowler, 47, Career Fire Captain
  Fire Department of New York City - Ladder 173
  Reported Cause: Injuries sustained in house fire
  
  
• 6/4/99
  Newark, NJ Firefighter Collapses in Bunkroom
  Richard Heinze, 47, Career Firefighter
  Newark, NJ Fire Department - Truck 12
  Reported Cause: Medical
  
  
• 5/31/99
  Second District Firefighter Dies
  Louis J. Matthews, 29, Career Firefighter
  Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Department - Engine 26
  Reported Cause: Injuries sustained in house fire
  
  
• 5/30/99
  Washington Firefighter Dies in Townhouse Fire
  Anthony Phillips, Sr., 30, Career Firefighter
  Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Department - Engine 10
  Reported Cause: Injuries sustained in house fire
  
  
• 5/20/99
  Medic Killed in Collision with Tractor-Trailer
  Keith Knight, 32, Career Paramedic
  Acadian Ambulance - Beauregard Parish, LA
  Reported Cause: Injuries sustained in motor vehicle accident
  
  
• 5/14/99
  Georgia Captain Fallen at Trench Rescue
  Louis Williams, age 47, Career
  Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department - Fort Oglethorpe, GA
  Reported Cause: Medical/Undetermined
  
  
• 5/3/99
  Philadelphia Firefighter Collapses at Station after Fire
  Eric Casiano, age 41, Career
  Philadelphia Fire Department - Philadelphia, PA
  Reported Cause: Internal Injuries After Fall through Floor at Fire
  
  
• 5/2/99
  North Carolina Firefighter Dies After Truck Hits Tree
  Kenneth Alan Strain, age 28, Volunteer
  Hamby Bridge Volunteer Fire & Rescue - Union County, NC
  Reported Cause: Traumatic Injuries in Accident
  
  
• 5/2/99
  Massachusetts Firefighter Dies from Heart Attack
  David Watts, age 57
  Nantucket Fire Department - Nantucket, MA
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 5/2/99
  Deputy State Fire Marshal Stricken in Office
  Wilbur H. Strait, Jr., age 56, State Employee
  Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal - Medford, OR
  Reported Cause: Medical
  
  
• 4/12/99
  Vermont Firefighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
  Philip M. Pinkowski, age 59, Volunteer
  Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department - Clarendon, VT
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 4/8/99
  Mass. Chief Collapses at Brush Fire
  Deputy Chief John Murphy, age 61, Vareer
  Russell Fire Department - Russell, MA
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 4/6/99
  Two Kentucky Firefighters Killed Battling Brush Fire
  Kevin Rick Smith, age 30, Volunteer
  and Kenneth Allen Nickell, age 28, Volunteer
  Cranston Route 377 Volunteer Fire Department - Cranston, KY
  Reported Cause: Overcome by Brush Fire
  
  
• 4/2/99
  Charleston, SC. Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
  Aubrey Tillman , age 57, Career
  Charleston, SC Fire Department - Charleston, SC
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 3/17/99
  Bridgeport, Conn. Firefighter Collapses at Fire
  Walter Flyntz, age TBD, Career
  Bridgeport Fire Department - Bridgeport, CT
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 3/17/99
  Boston Firefighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
  David L. Packard, 56, Career
  Boston Fire Department - Boston, MA
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 3/16/99
  Firefighter Dies Battling Prairie Fire
  Charles J. Vodek, 45, Volunteer
  Dunning Fire Department - Dunning, Nebraska
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 3/12/99
  NY Firefighter Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
  Jerome Taylor, 69, Volunteer
  Hillburn Fire Department - Rockland County, NY
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 2/28/99
  13-Year Veteran Dies After Collapsing at Rescue Scene
  Captain Ducheck, 46, Volunteer
  De Soto City Fire & Rescue - De Soto, MO
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 2/19/99
  Assistant Chief Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
  Assistant Chief Terry "Ted" Oliver, 58, Volunteer
  City of Eaton Rapids Fire Department - Eaton Rapids, MI
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 2/16/99
  NJ Firefighter Dies Responding to Alarm
  Firefighter Robert Stanmire, 52, Volunteer
  Forest Grove Volunrteer Fire Company - Vineland, NJ
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 2/15/99
  Three Texas Firefighters Killed Battling Church Fire
  Firefighters Brian Collins, 35, and Phillip Dean, 29, Volunteers
  Rivers Oak Volunteer Fire Department - Texas
  Firefighter Garry Sanders, 19, Volunteer
  Sanson Park Fire Department
  Reported Cause: Structural Collapse at Fire Scene
  
  
• 2/15/99
  MD Volunteer Dies at Brush Fire
  Firefighter Terry Lee Myers, 50, Volunteer
  Vigilant Hose Company - Emittsburg, MD
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 1/29/99
  Boston's Senior Firefighter Dies on Duty
  Firefighter Joseph R. "Dick" Murphy, 64, Career
  Boston Fire Department
  Reported Cause: Apparant Heart Attack
  
  
• 1/28/99
  70-Year-Veteran Stricken at Scene
  Firefighter Ralph Loyd, 90, Volunteer
  Greenville Fire Protection District - Greenville, IL
  Reported Cause: Medical
  
  
• 1/25/99
  USFA Announces Two LODDs
  Firefighter Daniel O'Connel, 58, Volunteer
  Putnam Lake Fire Department - Patterson, NY
  Reported Cause: Collapsed at structure fire
  &
  Fire Supression Technician Victor Castillo, 43, Career
  El Paso Fire Department - El Paso, TX
  Reported Cause: Injuries sustained during training
  
  
• 1/25/99
  Syracuse Fire Investigator Killed
  Fire Investigator James McGroarty, 43, Career
  Syracuse Fire Department - Syracuse, NY
  Reported Cause: Collapse at Investigation Scene
  
  
• 1/10/99
  Oakland FF Dies in 6-Alarmer
  Firefighter Tracy Toomey, 52, Career
  Oakland Fire Department - Oakland, CA
  Reported Cause: Structural Collapse at Fire Scene
  
  
• 1/9/99
  Indiana FF Dies in House Fire
  Firefighter Jason A. Gouckenour, 22, Volunteer
  Worthington-Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department - Worthington, IN
  Reported Cause: Fire Related
  
  
• 1/5/99
  Miss. Firefighter Struck, Killed by Car at Fire Scene
  Firefighter Carl Olsen, 41, Volunteer
  Kiln Volunteer Fire Department - Kiln, MS
  Reported Cause: Struck by Auto at Fire Scene
  
  
• 12/31/98
  Georgia Volunteer Dies Battling Church Fire
  Firefighter Kennan Loy Williams, 27, Volunteer
  Banks County Volunteer Fire Department - Banks Cty, GA
  * Note: A man police said was a 'satanic arsonist' was charged in connection with this incident.
  Reported Cause: Fire Related