Bell Tolls For Baltimore County Firefighters Lost In The Line Of Duty
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Honoring our fallen heroes. Baltimore County firefighters remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on the emotional ceremony.
Baltimore County fire officials say more than 40 firefighters and emergency personnel have died in the line of duty. While they are gone, they are not forgotten.
The bells tolls in Baltimore County, as the names of more than 40 firefighters who died in the line of duty are read out loud.
In front of the Fire Service Memorial Monument in Towson, dozens of friends, family and fellow firefighters gathered to remember their heroes.
"It's important for those of us who are still in the service to let people know--our brothers and sisters in our department--to let them know that we don't forget," said Chief John Hohman, Baltimore County Fire Department.
The most recent death is 25-year-old Gene Kirchner. He died last year after trying to rescue a man from a burning home. Kirchner had volunteered alongside his twin brother with the fire department for nine years.
Forty-four firefighters, 20 of them career members and 24 volunteers, have died in Baltimore County.
Their names are now inscribed on the monument and the hearts of those who miss them.
"We pay tribute to these people every year--this time of year. It gives us an opportunity to just remember," Hohman said.
The fire chief says in September they remember all of those who have passed on, even those who did not die in the line of duty.
The shrine was built with the funds of members of the fire service.
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