Honoring 5 Fallen Heroes

Honoring

Deputy Chief Kevin “Bubba” M. Malukas

Coal Township Fire Department, Pennsylvania

EOW: March 8, 2021 | Age: 59 | Tour: None

Deputy Chief Kevin M. “Bubba” Malukas responded to a vehicle accident on Sunday, March 7, 2021. After returning home, he suffered a heart attack and passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021.

Honoring

Firefighter/Paramedic Dennis M. Bender

Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Department, Nebraska

EOW: March 10, 2021 | Age: 78 | Tour: None

On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, Firefighter/Paramedic Dennis M. Bender responded to the third wildland fire call of the day. He suffered a medical emergency at the scene and was immediately taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The cause of his death is under investigation.

Honoring

Firefighter Devin Ray "Donkey" Whiteley

Hull-Daisetta Volunteer Fire Department in Daisetta, Texas

EOW: Jan. 12, 2021 | Age: 40 | Tour: None

Firefighter Devin Ray "Donkey" Whiteley, 40, of Daisetta, Texas passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Hull-Daisetta Volunteer Fire Department in Daisetta, Texas. Donkey was born on November 28, 1980, in Liberty, Texas. Donkey was an equipment operator for Go Green Companies. Donkey was a giving and helpful person, he was the first to go, and had a true heart of a first responder. He proudly served his community and was a miracle in others' lives. Also known as James' Donkey and Uncle Donkey, he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish his memory are his brothers, James Curt Gartner and wife, Crystal, Timothy Whiteley, and David Whiteley; Nephews, Justin, James, and Laynden; Nieces, Brianne, and Allyssa.

Honoring

Officer Jesse Madsen

Tampa Police Department, Florida

EOW: March 9, 2021 | Age: 45 | Tour: 16 Years

Police Officer Jesse Madsen was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver on I-275, near Hillsborough Avenue, just before 1:00 am. He was responding to reports of a vehicle driving in the wrong direction when he was struck by the car. Officer Madsen and the other driver were both killed in the impact. Officer Madsen had served with the Tampa Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Honoring

Firefighter Recruit Victor Melillo

Irvington Fire Department, New Jersey

EOW: March 9, 2021 | Age: 21 | Tour: None

On Thursday, March, 4, 2021, Firefighter Recruit Victor Melillo collapsed during a training exercise in the parking lot of the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany Township, NJ. First responders on the scene immediately treated Firefighter Recruit Melillo. He was taken to the Morristown Medical Center, where he remained in the Critical Care Unit, until his passing on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Disclaimer:

This information is supplied by the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) and the U.S. Fire Administration (www.apps.usfa.fema.gov).

Founder of FRBA

First Responder Benefit Association (FRBA) is our nonprofit founded to fill the gap of financial hardship that can often burden families of fallen First Responders. The First Responder Task Force funds 100% of FRBA’s administrative and operational expenses so that 100% of public donations go directly to aiding the families in need.

Learn More

First Responder Benefit Association is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

(888) 757-2322

*The $5,000 survivor benefit is paid when a line of duty death occurs. Line of duty is defined as AFBA members who are Emergency Service Providers to include law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services providers who are killed while involved in operations at or responding to/from the scene of an incident. If death occurs otherwise, outside of a suicide, the beneficiary will receive a $2000 benefit.

© 2023 First Responder Task Force. All Rights Reserved.