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Washington honors 10 fallen firefighters at annual state memorial
Summary
Washington State held its 2026 Fallen Firefighters Memorial on June 14, honoring 10 firefighters who died in the line of duty with wreath-laying, prayers, a keynote address by Central Pierce Chief Dustin Morrow and public readings of each honoree’s name and 'last alarm' date.
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Dustin Morrow urged attendees to carry forward the service and legacies of 10 firefighters honored at the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial on June 14, 2025.
“We gather to remember. We gather to honor, and we gather to ensure that those we recognize today are never forgotten,” Chief Morrow said in his keynote, delivered on the campus where the memorial is held. His remarks, which focused on legacy and mentorship within the fire service, appealed directly to families, volunteers and career firefighters present.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Battiste opened remarks earlier in the program, thanking family members and longtime organizers and stressing the ceremony’s purpose. “When we say we’ll never forget, this is what this is all about,” Battiste said as he acknowledged the work of volunteers who make the annual service possible.
The ceremony followed traditional fire-service protocols. An honor guard posted the colors, the national anthem was sung, Chaplain Rigid delivered an invocation, and wreaths and memorial ribbons were placed on the memorial pipe rail. The presenter invited Chief Battiste, State Fire Marshal Chad Cross and Chief Dustin Morrow forward to place a wreath in memory of the fallen.
Organizers read the names of the 10 firefighters added to the role of honor and announced each honoree’s department and the program-listed “last alarm” date, after which a family member or designee hung that firefighter’s ribbon on the memorial. Those honored and the departments listed in the program included: Captain David Faye (Spokane Valley Fire, last alarm listed 12/17/2018); Captain Engineer Troy Phillips (North Port Fire, 04/25/2023); Firefighter Michael Kelly Jensen (Natchez Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service, 08/20/2023); Lieutenant Luther Lloyd McAllister (South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, 02/22/2025); Division Chief Sean Ward (Whatcom Fire and Rescue, 03/19/2025); Lieutenant Adam Lamb (Balfour Fire Department, 04/25/2025); Captain Brandon Miniman (Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, 06/24/2025); Deputy Chief William “Bill” Mack (East Pierce Fire and Rescue, 07/18/2025); Deputy Chief Jimmy Webb (Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, 09/05/2025); and Firefighter Eric Rothenhausen (Whatcom County Fire District 7, 11/01/2025). The program indicated who would hang each ribbon (for example, family members or a designated colleague).
After the names were read, the ceremony included the playing of “Taps,” the ringing of a fire bell and a musical performance of “Amazing Grace,” followed by a moment of silence. The presenter also thanked members of the International Association of Fire Fighters 7th District Motorcycle Group for escorting memorial ribbons across the state.
Organizers displayed three proposed renderings of a permanent memorial at a poster board near the exit and said a dedication is targeted for 2028, with the finished memorial intended to include the names of fallen firefighters carved in granite.
The service concluded with instructions to the audience (including hydration reminders) and the retiring of the colors. Attendees were dismissed following the closing remarks.
What happens next: organizers said they will notify the public when the permanent memorial dedication date is set and will maintain the annual ceremony as a day to read names, hang ribbons and honor the lives and legacies of firefighters who died in the line of duty.
