Division of Fire Safety News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 02, 2025
Governor Kehoe has proclaimed Sunday, Oct. 5, as Missouri Fire Service Memorial Day
Missouri’s fire service will hold two memorial services this weekend at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City to honor the state’s fallen firefighters.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., a candlelight vigil will be held for all Missouri firefighters who have died while serving their communities.
On Sunday, Oct. 5, at 10:30 a.m., a memorial service will be held in which attention will be called to 10 Missouri firefighters who have been recognized recently as having died in the line of duty by the Fire Fighters Memorial Foundation of Missouri Board and whose names have been added to the monument wall commemorating Missouri firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their fellow Missourians. Other Missouri firefighters who passed away will also be remembered during the ceremonies.
Governor Mike Kehoe has proclaimed Oct. 5 as Fire Service Memorial Day in Missouri.
“Missourians are indebted to the members of the fire service who courageously gave their lives in the line of duty,” Governor Kehoe said. “They acted as true heroes, shielding others from harm and protecting homes and businesses. Whether in large cities or small towns, we are grateful for the men and women who sacrifice valuable time with their families to train and respond each time the alarm bell rings. They are critical to the foundation on which strong communities are built.”
“This weekend, we honor fallen firefighters who ranged in age from their twenties up to age 72, but they shared the common purpose of protecting their neighbors and communities, despite the risks to their own lives,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said. “Not a day goes by that I am not awed by the commitment and steadfastness of the men and women who make up Missouri’s fire service, and the families who support them.”
Both events will take place at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, 5550 Dunn Drive, Kingdom City, MO 65262 (one block northwest of I-70 Exit 148 for U.S. Highway 54). In case of inclement weather, the events will be moved to Auxvasse Elementary School, 650 E. Harrison St., Auxvasse, MO 65231.
The Fire Fighters Memorial Foundation of Missouri Board has approved these additions to the Wall of Honor:
Assistant Chief Matthew Tobben, Boone County Fire Protection District, July 8, 2024
Assistant Chief Tobben, 42, who devoted over 19 years to protecting the people of Franklin and Boone counties, died during the swift water rescue of two victims in Columbia’s flooded Bear Creek.
Captain James Cova, Affton Fire Protection District, July 9, 2024
Captain Cova, 54, who devoted over 26 years to protecting the people of St. Louis County, suffered a medical emergency after responding to several emergency calls.
Firefighter William Nix, Thomasville Volunteer Fire Department, Jan. 16, 2025
Firefighter Nix, 72, who devoted over five years to protecting the people of Oregon County, was killed when the fire engine he was a passenger in overturned while responding to an emergency call.
Captain Christopher Clevenger, West Central Missouri Fire Protection District of Saline and Pettis Counties, Jan. 26, 2025
Captain Clevenger, 33, who joined the fire service at age 18 and devoted over 15 years to serving the people of Pettis and Saline counties, died after suffering a medical emergency after responding to an emergency call the day before.
Captain Vernon Collett, Johnson County Fire Protection District, March 8, 2025
Captain Collett, 60, who devoted over 29 years to protecting the people of Johnson County, died after suffering a medical emergency as he attempted to extinguish a controlled burn that had grown out of control.
Deputy Chief Donald Kammerich, Pilot Grove Area Fire Protection District, March 10, 2025
Deputy Chief Kammerich, 64, who devoted over 35 years to serving the people of Cooper County, died of a medical emergency in the evening after fighting two different natural cover fires earlier in the day.
Firefighter/Paramedic Graham Hoffman, Kansas City Fire Department, April 27, 2025
Firefighter/Paramedic Hoffman, 29, who devoted over five years of his life to serving the Kansas City region, was stabbed to death in an ambulance as he treated a patient being transported to a hospital.
Firefighter/EMT Matthew Shafer, Lawson Fire-Rescue Protection District, June 4, 2021
Firefighter/EMT Shafer, 21, who had devoted over six years to protecting the people of Clay and Ray counties, died as a result of complications of severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Firefighter Larry Harlan, Jonesburg-High Hill Fire Protection District, Aug. 26, 2021
Firefighter Harlan, 66, who devoted 41 years to protecting the people of Montgomery County, died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Captain Marcus Maggard, Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department, Jan. 6, 2022
Captain Maggard, 50, who was a founding member of the Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department in Dent County in 1995, died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Saturday, Oct. 4
WHAT: Candlelight vigil honoring Missouri firefighters who died serving Missouri’s fire service
WHO: State Fire Marshal Tim Bean
Leaders of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri
Families and friends of those who died
Firefighters from across Missouri
WHERE: Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, 5550 Dunn Drive, Kingdom City, MO 65262 (one block northwest of the I-70 & U.S. Highway 54 intersection)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Sunday, Oct. 5
WHAT: Memorial service honoring Missouri firefighters who died serving Missouri’s fire service
WHO: Department of Public Safety Director Mark James
State Fire Marshal Tim Bean
Leaders of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri
Families and friends of those who died
Firefighters from across Missouri
WHERE: Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, 5550 Dunn Drive, Kingdom City, MO 65262 (one block northwest of the I-70 & U.S. Highway 54 intersection)
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
A livestream of Sunday’s service will be provided on the Fire Fighter Memorial Foundation of Missouri Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MoFireMemorial
For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov