Honoring 4 Fallen Heroes

Honoring

Cadet Symeon Williams

Cleveland Division of Fire, Cleveland, Ohio

EOW: May 16, 2025 | Age: 39 | Tour: None

During his fifth week at the Cleveland Fire Training Academy, Cadet Symeon Williams suffered a medical emergency while performing physical training. Cadet Williams was transported to a nearby hospital, but resuscitation efforts were not successful, and he was declared deceased. The cause of death is yet to be determined.

Honoring

Major Leslie “Les” Roger Leatherman

Laurel County Fire Department, London, Kentucky

EOW: May 16, 2025 | Age: 57 | Tour: None

Amid severe weather including a reported tornado, Major Leslie Roger Leatherman was fatally injured while responding to an emergency call for a residential fire. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Honoring

Firefighter Charles Mudra

Baltimore City Fire Department, Maryland

EOW: May 16, 2025 | Age: None | Tour: 17 Years

It's been a challenging week for Baltimore firefighters, and Friday after, Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 announced that a firefighter died after falling ill during training. Emergency Vehicle Driver Charles Mudra suffered a catastrophic medical emergency at the city's fire academy while he was participating in a skills-based training. Assigned to Truck 20, Mudra was a member of the department for 17 years. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters. His service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the safety of our city will never be forgotten," a statement from Local 724 said.

Honoring

Lt. Mark Dranbauer

Baltimore City Fire Department, Maryland

EOW: May 16, 2025 | Age: 44 | Tour: None

It's been a tough few days for the Baltimore City Fire Department as they lost two veteran firefighters. Lt. Mark Dranbauer, 44, suffered a medical emergency while on a ladder at a structure fire on May 12 while Emergency Vehicle Driver Charles Mudra collapsed during a skills session at the fire academy on Friday. The end of watch for both was May 16, WJZ reported. Dranbauer, a 23-year veteran, continued to save lives as he was maintained on life support until a medical team could harvest his organs and tissues. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters," the Baltimore City Fire Department said in a statement. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said of the tragedy: "Heartbroken by the loss of two of Maryland's finest heroes. Lt. Mark Dranbauer and Charles Mudra served their community for years, putting themselves on the line to keep Marylanders safe. My prayers are with their loved ones and with the entire Baltimore City Fire Department."

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).

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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.

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*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.

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