Colorado missing sheriff’s deputy remains found

Missing Gypsum man found dead inside his pickup truck, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office says

7 News Denver
By: Ryan Osborne , Óscar Contreras
June 28, 2019

“The love and support this community has shown in the search for Tayler has been beyond words,” Porter said. “This support has been a comfort to his family, friends, co-workers, and the entire community.”

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – A missing sheriff’s deputy who was last seen Tuesday in a rural area of Garfield County was found dead Friday, according to a spokesperson with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.

Tayler Esslinger, 26, of Gypsum, who was last seen Tuesday and was believed to be heading into the mountains, was found in his vehicle Friday afternoon. A cause and manner of death was not immediately released.

“We are very heartbroken by today’s turn of events in this discovery,” said Eagle County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jessie Porter in a news release. “While it was not the outcome we had all been hoping and praying for, these last few days have shown how the circumstances of one individual can pull us together to make us all stronger.”
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Volunteer Firefighter Marine Killed in Afghanistan

update Charity will pay mortgage for family of fallen FNY firefighter

FDNY firefighter from the Bronx killed in Afghanistan suicide attack

By Derick Waller
April 9, 2018

CLAREMONT, Bronx (WABC) -- One of four Americans killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan was an FDNY firefighter.

It is a devastating reminder that this 18-year-long war continues despite recent peace talks.

Christopher Slutman was identified by the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department in Landover, Maryland, where he is a lifetime member.

Slutman, a married father of three, was a 15-year veteran of the FDNY. He most recently worked as a firefighter at Engine 46 Ladder 27 in the Claremont section of the Bronx.

In 2014, he received the FDNY's Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal for pulling an unconscious woman from a burning Bronx high-rise apartment.

He served as a Staff Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps.
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Firefighter almost died...until God showed off

Firefighter regains consciousness after near death from septic infection

Times Union
Mike Goodwin
February 18, 2019

"Y'all keep asking about the hand: the surgeon is coming to look first thing tomorrow morning. It doesn't look pretty though. I'd be amazed if he didn't lose fingers. But God has been showing off all week so....." Josh Woodward

ALBANY - The Albany International Airport firefighter who nearly died from an out-of-control septic infection, regained consciousness and is aware of his surroundings, his wife wrote on Facebook.

"He's awake, aware, extubated, conscious, forming his own unique thoughts, maybe a little confused, in pain, very weak, vulnerable," Chelsea Woodward wrote Sunday of her husband Josh's slow recovery. ".... it goes on."

"He doesn't remember much," she continued, writing that he was having some post-traumatic stress disorder from the tracheal tube. "He is really down and frightened about the road ahead of him."

Still, Chelsea Woodward calls her husband's survival a miracle.
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Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony James Dean and family killed in accident

Update: Air Force family in fatal highway accident identified

Valley News
Joshua Peguero
November 23, 2018

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D (Valley News Live) – Update: Staff Sgt. Anthony James Dean, 25, assigned to the 69th Maintenance Squadron, was killed in a vehicle accident near Billings, Montana, over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dean’s remains were recovered alongside those of his wife, Chelsi Kay Dean, 25. Also deceased in the accident are their two daughters Kaytlin Merie Dean, 5, and Avri James Dean, 1.

“Words are not enough during a time like this,” said Maj. Eric Inkenbrandt, 69th Maintenance Squadron commander. “AJ’s family brought a light to our maintenance community, and this loss strikes each of us deeply. May their friends and family be granted the strength and serenity to get through this sorrowful time.”

Montana Highway Patrol discovered the accident scene early Saturday morning after searching for the missing family since Thanksgiving Day. Initial reports indicate they were traveling on Interstate 94 when the vehicle went off the road, eventually coming to rest in a creek. The crash remains under investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol.
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Firefighters in Canada Respond to Fatal Crash, One of Their Own

Firefighters respond to fatal accident involving colleague 
CBC News
 Posted: Jan 19, 2016

"You really don't know what you're going to face when you get there. It could be innocent … or it could be the exact opposite, which unfortunately in this case it was," Fisher told CBC News.

Northern Arm Fire Chief Robert Fisher has been a firefighter for more than 30 years. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

Firefighters in Bay of Exploits are grieving the loss of one of their colleagues after responding to a fatal highway crash near Botwood, in central Newfoundland, Saturday.

Northern Arm Fire Chief Rob Fisher said the deceased was a volunteer fire fighter at the nearby Philips Head fire department — a man that his fire brigade trained with. Fisher said it was one of the toughest calls they've had to deal with, and the next few weeks could be more difficult for the brigade. read more here

Iraq Veteran, Volunteer Firefighter In Battle for Life Against Cancer

Veteran, volunteer firefighter, father and newlywed battles cancer
FOX 43 News
BY LEAH KIRSTEIN
SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

YORK, Pa. - Freddie Kemfort joined the Army right out of high school and spent 11 years in the service. He completed three tours in Iraq and survived four IED explosions.

He has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 14. Zoey, 3, and MaKenzie, 1, are his daughters and his pride and joy. He just married their mother, Lindsey. They had to cancel their wedding, on October 3, to be married on June 17, by a Justice of the Peace because Freddie is battling cancer.

"He has renal clear cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid features which is a very aggressive cancer that metastasis to the rest of the body very quickly," said Lindsey.
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Teen and Neighbors Save Police Officer From Burning Car

Teen Saves Police Officer From Burning Car After Hit-and-Run Crash
NBC Philadelphia
By David Chang
November 9, 2014

A teen volunteer firefighter and his neighbor jumped into action Saturday after a Philadelphia Police officer's vehicle caught fire following a collision with a pickup truck.

Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Kimsey was traveling on 28th and Tasker streets around 5:25 p.m. Saturday when his police cruiser collided with a pickup truck. Kimsey was trapped inside as his vehicle burst into flames.

A passenger inside the pickup truck was also injured in the crash. The driver however fled the scene on foot and was last seen running on the 2800 block of Tasker streets, according to police.

As Kimsey remained trapped inside the vehicle while the flames grew, Joe Chambers, a 17-year-old volunteer firefighter and his neighbor jumped into action.

"I saw that it was a cop car," Chambers said. "Right then I just started sprinting and did what I had to do."
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Ocala Politician Attacked PTSD Iraq Veteran Online

Marion County government official belittles veteran for PTSD
Ocala Post
By Michael LaTulipe
September 10, 2014

Marcel "Butch" Verrando

(This is who he attacked)

Matychak did what no veteran should have to do by detailing in part what his job was in the military and what he saw.

“Butch, I saw death, such military personnel burned in their vehicles to blown body parts, having prisoners of war throwing pee and crap at me, to having a 8 year old Iraqi girl died on me to the CSH (Combat Support Hospital), getting shot at, having a vehicle blow up, and much more. My job was Combat Firefighter/Medic [sic].”

James Hoyne at 9:13 p.m. added an anonymous comment from a veteran who served with Matychak. “I would tread lightly before I embarrass you on your little political hi horse thread. I served with Sam in Iraq and I was there when windows were blown out, mortars exploding all around us, doors blown shut, and the military calling frantically for the fire dept to come assist in the middle of a fire fight that was the largest since falluja. I was there with Sam so I can deff vouch for him. You sir don’t have a clue, and quite frankly I don’t even know how you are involved in politics. Don’t question his PTSD because I have it as well [sic].”

Ocala, Florida — Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious condition that can be very debilitating and even result in the death of the individual afflicted. This condition not only disproportionally affects soldiers, but also firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and law enforcement officers.

Marcel “Butch” Verrando, who currently serves the citizens of Marion County as a member of the Fire Advisory Board (appointment by Commissioner Stan McClain) and a former candidate for Marion County Commissioner, attacked a U.S. military veteran and former volunteer firefighter for Marion County Fire Rescue for suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on an online forum.

On Aug. 12, 2014, at 1:55 p.m., Verrando created a post on Marion County Political Forum, moderated by community activist Stan Hanson via Facebook, beginning with, “We have another Union sell out.”

U.S. military veteran (worked for the military in providing fire and EMS to troops in Iraq) Samuel J. Matychak III responded to the thread talking about his support for a candidate because of their “mutual stance on public safety.” Verrando responded on Aug. 12 at 4:32 p.m. with, “Hey at least I’m not crazy!”
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Volunteer firefighters raise money for wounded warfighters

Volunteer firefighters helping local Wounded Warriors
Garden City News
June 21, 2013

Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior recently presented checks of $3,000 to each of three organizations that are working with local wounded veterans to improve their lives after suffering injuries in battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The firefighters gave the money to the Wounded Veterans Initiative which trains dogs to assist wounded veterans with eye injuries, and to Boots on the Ground, an organization on Long Island that helps treat wounded soldiers suffering PTSD. The money was also given to the Northport VA Hospital’s PTSD Residential Program so they could purchase a TV and chairs for their day room.
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