David Campbell Memorial Association

On June 16th, Portland Fire Captain Jim Bieker was added to the Oregon State Firefighter Memorial. Jim's death by thyroid cancer was determined to be attributable to his 38 years of service as a firefighter. Jim joins 184 other Oregon firefighters who have lost their lives in service to their communities. Portland Fire Chief Lauren Johnson was on hand to offer Jim's story to the audience. Jim's family and many others, including 3 DCMA board members, were on hand to honor Jim and two others for 2026. Thank you to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). Jim and Portland Firefighter Mark Ragan will be honored on the Portland Firefighter Memorial on Friday June 26th at Portland's annual David Campbell Memorial and Remembrance service. Rest in peace brothers.

The DCMA has learned that Lieutenant Isai Huerta of Odessa Fire Rescue in Odessa, Texas died on June 14, 2026. On June 14th, Isai responded to a residential fire with his crew. While operating at the scene, conditions took a dangerous turn. Six firefighters, including Isai were injured. Isai sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Isai was 29 years old with 9 years of service. Our condolences go out to Isai’s family and the members of Odessa Fire Rescue. May he rest in peace.

U.S. Fire Administration website applications Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter/Paramedic John D. Morgan of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District in Roscoe, Illinois died on May 31, 2026. John was working is normal shift but failed to respond to the apparatus when a call for a grass fire came in. His coworkers searched the station for him and found him deceased. John was 53 years old with 25 years of service. Our condolences go out to John’s family and the members of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District. May he rest in peace.

U.S. Fire Administration website applications Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Robert “BK” Tilduff Jr. of the Boston Fire Department in Boston, Massachusetts died on May 23, 2026. On that day, BK and his crew responded to a residential fire that escalated to three alarms. The fire was extinguished. A short time after, a rear porch on the third floor of the building collapsed. BK was missing and a may day call was put out. BK was found and treated at the scene, then transported to the hospital, but he would die from his injuries. BK was 53 years old with 24 years of service. Our condolences go out to BK’s family and the members of the Boston Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Jeffery Lynn Derrick of the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department in Pittsburg, Texas died on February 27, 2026. On February 27th, Jeffery and his crew responded to a grass fire. In the course of the firefight, the wind shifted and pushed the fire back toward the fire crews. Jeffery tried to make his way back to the fire department apparatus but he became disoriented and overcome by the fast-moving fire. Jeffery died at the fire scene. Jeffery was 67 years old with 1 year of service. Our condolences go out to Jeffery’s family and the members of the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov

The Story Of The Portland Firefighter Memorial

Decades of Service By Portland Firefighters (part 6 of 12)

Beginning on June 26, 1912 (the one year anniversary of his death), an annual remembrance was held for Chief Campbell. With no formal memorial site, the service would take place at Campbell’s gravesite at River View Cemetery. The David Campbell Memorial (DCM), as it is known today, was completed and publicly dedicated on June 26, 1928. This first service included recognition of all Portland Firefighters who had died in service, of which there were 17 at that time. Over the next several decades, the list of Portland’s Fallen Firefighters would continue to grow, yet the DCM did not seem to keep pace. A 1948 Oregonian Newspaper article reported 19 name plates for fallen members were in place. By 1948, at least 27 members should have received recognition. Care seemed to turn a corner in 1966 with the death of Firefighter Virgil Spencer. Spencer’s name was recognized on the list as he became the 31st Portland Firefighter to be recognized for his sacrifice.

The DCMA has learned that Assistant Chief Carl “Levi” Evans of Greeley County Fire and Rescue in Tribune, Kansas died on April 9, 2026. On April 8th, Levi was participating in a fire department training exercise when he suffered a medical emergency. He was transported to the hospital but passed away the following morning. Levi was 42 years old with 19 years of service. Our condolences go out to Levi’s family and the members of Greeley County Fire and Rescue. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter/EMT Michael E. Altman of the Chicago Fire Department in Chicago, Illinois died on March 17, 2026. On March 16th, Michael and his crew responded to a four-story apartment building on fire. Michael was engaged in search and rescue operations on the first floor when the floor collapsed into the basement of the building. Michael was rescued, but suffered burns on 90% of his body. He was transported to the hospital but passed away the following morning. Michael was 32 years old with 2 years of service. Our condolences go out to Michael’s family and the members of the Chicago Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov

The DCMA has learned that Engineer Steven Decker of the Chicago Fire Department in Chicago, Illinois died on May 14, 2026. On May 14th, Steven was engaged in the annual hose test with his company when he suffered a medical emergency. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Steven was 61 years old with 30 years of service. Our condolences go out to Steven’s family and the members of the Chicago Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Andrew Cross of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department in Morrill, Maine died on May 15, 2026. On May 15th, Andrew and his crew responded to a fire in a wood chip silo at a lumber mill. During fire operations, an explosion occurred. Andrew was missing and a search began. 9 hours after arrival, Andrew was found deceased at the scene. Andrew was 27 years old with 3 years of service. Our condolences go out to Andrew’s family and the members of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov