Big Elm, PA, Fire/Rescue Captain Dies Responding to Call

Big Elm Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Capt. Roger Lathrop died while responding to a fire last week.

Jan. 26, 2025

Big Elm firefighter and Rescue Capt. Roger Lathrop suffered a medical emergency on Jan. 23 while responding to a fire.

A memorial service will be held Monday for a Big Elm Volunteer Fire Department firefighter who died last week responding to a fire.

Rescue Capt. Roger Lathrop, 52, suffered a medical emergency on Jan. 23 while responding to a call for structure fire.

"Roger was an integral part of our department and community and loved by all. Please keep the family and the members of the department in your thoughts and prayers," the Millerton, PA-based department shared in a statement.

Calling hours will by Monday, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Olthof Funeral Home in Southport, NY. A firefighter's memorial service is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Lathrop leaves behind a wife of 30 years and three children.

You can read Lathrop's obituary here.

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Peter Matthews

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Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.