Our Veterans & Heroes

Elgin Fire Department Line of Duty Deaths

Horace Tuttle

Position:

Driver of Hose Company No. 2 Appointed: May 1891 Last Alarm: December 17, 1896 Tuttle was promoted to Driver of Hose Company No. 2 in early 1892. On December 17, 1896, he injured his leg after falling from the hose wagon while responding to an alarm. The injury worsened, leading to his death from infection at 3:30 AM on March 8, 1897.

George E. Bogart

Position:

Driver of Hose Company No. 4 Appointed: 1886 Last Alarm: May 18, 1903 Bogart was involved in a tragic accident during a “Crow Hunt” on the fire station roof. While handling his shotgun, it accidentally discharged when he lost his grip, fatally striking him in the lower abdomen. He succumbed to his injuries later that day.

David W. Sharp

Position:

Chief Elected: November 1, 1881 Last Alarm: May 12, 1908 Chief Sharp was overseeing renovations at a fire station when he stepped on a faulty stairway supported only by a cable, which snapped. He fell from the second floor, landing on his neck and shoulders. He passed away at 12:45 PM at Sherman Hospital.

John Kane

Position:

Pipeman on Engine No. 2 Appointed: April 14, 1904 Last Alarm: November 22, 1927 While sitting and conversing with a fellow firefighter, Kane suddenly slumped in his chair, suffering a fatal heart attack. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, he passed away after 23 years of service.

Emil Barth

Position:

Pipeman on Engine No. 1 Appointed: May 4, 1927 Last Alarm: January 18, 1928 Barth was backing up a fire truck at a scene when he fell from the vehicle and was crushed. He died hours later at Sherman Hospital after only eight months on the job.

Clifford G. Voigts

Position:

Deputy Chief Appointed: September 15, 1947 Last Alarm: May 2, 1964 Voigts had served for nearly 17 years when he collapsed from a heart attack while assisting at a fire scene. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Michael L. Whalen

Position:

Pipeman on Engine No. 2 Appointed: May 25, 1970 Last Alarm: June 2, 1974 Whalen was conducting a river rescue training exercise when he got caught in a strong undercurrent and was trapped beneath the river dam. Despite rescue efforts, he drowned.

Stanley Balsis

Position:

Captain of Fire Station No. 2 Appointed: April 4, 1960 Last Alarm: June 2, 1974 Balsis was also participating in the same river rescue drill as Michael Whalen when he attempted to save his fellow firefighter. He was pulled underwater and drowned.

Our Veterans & Heroes

Elgin Fire Department Line of Duty Deaths

Horace Tuttle

Position:

George E. Bogart

Position:

David W. Sharp

Position:

John Kane

Position:

Emil Barth

Position:

Clifford G. Voigts

Position:

Michael L. Whalen

Position:

Stanley Balsis

Position:

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