Colorado Fallen Firefighters Memorial

10/29/2026

We remember Joes Fire Department Firefighter Larry Wyant

We remember and honor the following firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty on October 26. We also recognize their sacrifice and that of their families. Search for the Roll of Honor profiles of these firefighters on our website.

10/29/2026

Today, we take a moment to honor and remember Engineer John Elling. He was a devoted firefighter, colleague, and friend whose service and spirit continue to inspire us all.

John was born in Long Beach, California, on June 6, 1963, and earned a degree from the University of Central Florida before beginning his fire service career. John was married to Kerry and had two children, Mitchell and Amanda.

John joined the Cunningham Fire Protection District on May 11, 1988, and proudly served the Cunningham community for over seven years at Station No. 63. John was also an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters, sharing his faith, kindness, and compassion with everyone around him.

Throughout his career, John dedicated himself to helping others and exemplified the true heart of the fire service. He passed away on October 29, 1995, at just 32 years old, after a courageous battle with an Anaplastic Mixed Astrocytoma Oligodendroglioma primary brain tumor.

John’s commitment to service and his impact on those around him continue to inspire our work today. As we honor his memory, South Metro is committed to strengthening our dedication to firefighter cancer prevention, screening, education, and wellness.

South Metro Fire Rescue is committed to ensuring that John’s life, service, and sacrifice are never forgotten.

10/04/2026

We remember Intercanyon Firefighter Colin Boast today

We remember and honor the following firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty on October 4. We also recognize their sacrifice and that of their families. Search for the Roll of Honor profiles of these firefighters on our website.

09/21/2026

We Remember Denver Fire Department FirefighterJeffrey Billingsley

We remember and honor the following firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty on September 20. We also recognize their sacrifice and that of their families. Search for the Roll of Honor profiles of these firefighters on our website.

09/18/2026

Every September, fire fighters, emergency medical workers, and their families gather in Colorado Springs to honor those who have died in the line of duty.

09/18/2026

September 17 We Remember -

September 17 1931
Denver Fire Department FF Elmore C Palmer Truck 8

September 17 1971
Denver Fire Department Lt Wayne Manaugh

09/15/2026

Today, we remember the life and service of Firefighter Paramedic Anthony “Tony” Palato. Tony dedicated over two decades to serving his community with compassion, integrity, and a true servant’s heart. From his early days knowing he wanted to be a firefighter, to earning his fire science degree and EMT-P certification, Tony worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those around him.

Tony began his career as a paramedic with private ambulance companies before joining the Sheridan Fire Department in 1997, then Cunningham Fire before the department unified with South Metro Fire Rescue. He remained committed to serving others until his medical retirement in March 2021.

Tony’s life was marked by courage both on and off the job. In 2017, he was diagnosed with an occupational cancerous tumor and fought through remission, only to face a recurrence that ultimately took his life on September 15, 2021. Despite these challenges, Tony’s kindness, dedication, and care for others never wavered.

Tony was also a devoted family man, leaving behind his wife of 23 years, Megan, and his daughters, Autumn and Isabella. His daughter Isabella captured his spirit perfectly: “You had to know my dad in order to understand who he was and why he was so important to this world. My dad never shamed a person for their mistakes but rather allowed one to improve and learn from their experience. He truly was the best dad, best friend, and teammate I could have ever asked for.”

As we honor Tony’s memory, we remain inspired by his compassion, his service, and the positive impact he had on everyone he met. His legacy continues in the lives he touched and in the communities he served.

08/10/2026

Never Forgotten.

Today, we pause to remember Collin Hagan, a Craig Interagency Hotshot who tragically lost his life on August 10, 2022, while working on the Big Swamp Fire in Oregon. Collin's legacy continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew and worked alongside him.

"He was known by everyone as a very kind and compassionate man. He thought of others first and just did not worry, a trait many of us learned from him. He was often quiet yet had a remarkable sense of humor. Collin made his own path in life, a path which we are all so very proud he took."

Our thoughts are with Collin's family, friends, and crew today and always. He is never forgotten.

Read more about Collin's life and legacy: https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/collin-james-o-hagan

07/31/2026

This morning, Friday, July 31.

On Friday, July 31, 2026, vehicles from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Honor Guard, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Colorado State Patrol will es**rt fallen firefighter Nathan Matthews and family from the Denver area to Grand Junction.

Nathan Matthews, a R***e Helitack firefighter, died last Friday from burn injuries sustained while fighting the Knowles Fire in Mesa County on June 27. This es**rt will transport his remains to Grand Junction. It will be led by the Colorado State Patrol, with U.S Wildland Fire Service, U.S. Forest Service, R***e Helitack, and DFPC es**rting an unmarked vehicle carrying Nathan and his family.
To facilitate safe passage of the processional, CDOT will implement short rolling closures and brief temporary ramp closures along the route.

The es**rt will depart the Denver Federal Center at 7:30 a.m. sharp and travel via I-70 to the Bureau of Land Management facilities in Grand Junction. Members of the public in the Denver area are also invited to gather at the Furniture Row parking lot at 10301 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, by 7:15 a.m. The es**rt is expected to pass this location around 7:33 a.m. as it turns onto the westbound 6th Avenue on-ramp.

Members of the public wishing to show their support and pay their respects are encouraged to do so from the overpasses along the I-70 route. Those wishing to observe the es**rt elsewhere along the route should do so only from a safe and lawful location away from the interstate.

Do not park or stop on interstate shoulders, ramps, bridges or overpasses. Pedestrians must not enter the interstate, ramps, or other restricted roadway areas.

Motorists should not slow or stop in travel lanes to observe or photograph the es**rt. Do not attempt to follow, pass, or join the motorcade. Please obey all traffic laws, posted parking restrictions, and directions from law enforcement. Temporary traffic delays may occur along the route.

Updates on the es**rt's progress will be periodically posted on this page to give a general sense of timing for upcoming towns and overpasses; however, this is not guaranteed to be precise, so please plan to arrive early and be prepared for a possible later-than-expected arrival.

07/31/2026

Never Forgotten
August Valentine Spanish Peaks Volunteer Fire Department

We remember and honor the following firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty on July 31. We also recognize their sacrifice and that of their families. Search for the Roll of Honor profiles of these firefighters on our website.