Funeral for Chicago Firefighter Delayed as Wife Goes into Labor

Funeral services for fallen Chicago firefighter Michael Altman, who died from injuries fighting a blaze in Rogers Park last week, have been postponed after his wife went into labor Thursday morning.

The funeral, originally planned for Friday, will take place at a later date, the Chicago Fire Department said in an email.

Meanwhile, visitation will continue during scheduled times from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in the Ashburn neighborhood, the fire department said.

Fourth-generation firefighter Altman, 32, suffered fatal injuries while fighting a blaze at a three-story Rogers Park building on March 16. About 90% of his body was burned after he fell through the floor into the basement, Cook County prosecutors said at a court appearance Monday.

The man accused of starting a fire that led to a Chicago firefighter’s death was ordered detained Monday, pending his trial. Sheaves Slate, 27, of Avondale, faces first-degree murder, aggravated arson and residential arson charges.

On March 16, Slate allegedly snuck into the building’s basement — where he had repeatedly squatted — and set a mattress on fire. Depressed and suicidal, he watched as it went up in flames, placed a door in front of the room to obscure the smoke and fled without calling 911, prosecutors said.

Altman arrived at the three-story building in the 1700 block of North Shore Avenue around 11:30 a.m. Monday. Firefighters in the basement were forced to move the door that Slate had used to conceal the fire, which caused the basement ceiling to collapse.

Altman was taken to Stroger Hospital and was pronounced dead the next morning.

“We are heartbroken by yet another loss of our own,” Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt told reporters outside Stroger at the time. “Michael gave everything in service to the people of Chicago and we will never forget his courage and sacrifice. Our deepest condolences go out to the Altman family, fellow firefighters, friends and all that loved him and knew him.”

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