Candlelight vigil held to honor fallen firefighters in Missouri
Euphenie Andre
KINGDOM CITY, Mo (KMIZ)
Governor Mike Kehoe has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome to shine red from sunset on Saturday through sunrise Sunday in honor of Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty.
A candlelight vigil is was held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Firefighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City.
The ceremony is part of the 21st annual Candlelight Vigil, organized by the Firefighters Memorial Foundation of Missouri. This year, 104 firefighters were recognized, 10 who died in the line of duty, and 94 others honored for their years of dedicated service.
Keith Smith, president of the Firefighters Memorial Foundation, said the event is not just about remembering loss but keeping the legacy of each firefighter alive.
“There’s a saying that you die twice the first time is when your body gives out, and the second is when people stop saying your name and telling your story,” Smith said.
Family members of the fallen shared who they came to honor, proudly saying names like Marcus Maggard, Donald Kammerich, and Larry Harlan.
Among the ten honored is Assistant Chief Matthew Tobben of the Boone County Fire Protection District, who died on July 8, 2024. Tobben was 42 years old and had served for more than 19 years in both Franklin and Boone counties. He lost his life while performing a water rescue of two victims during flooding in Columbia’s Bear Creek.
Loved ones told ABC 17 News they’re still processing the loss but are grateful his name is now engraved on the memorial wall.
The firefighters being remembered this year passed away as recently as this past April and as far back as June 2021.
“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 in a press release. “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.”
Governor Mike Kehoe also shared a statement honoring those being remembered.
“Missourians are indebted to the members of the fire service who courageously gave their lives in the line of duty,” 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.”
A memorial ceremony will follow Sunday at 10:30 a.m., where ten new names will be added to the memorial wall. The wall displays the names of Missouri firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
The memorial events come after Governor Mike Parson proclaimed October 5 as Fire Service Memorial Day in Missouri.