Row of triangular display cases holding folded American flags and the Virginia state seal, each paired with a certificate and a single long-stemmed rose on a white surface. Background includes multiple flags, suggesting a formal tribute or memorial ceremony honoring individuals from Virginia.

Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service

Honoring Those Who Served Their Communities

Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service

The Virginia Fallen Firefighters & Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service is held annually on the first Saturday in June. The 2026 ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, June 6. This public event honors the bravery and sacrifice of Virginia’s fallen firefighters and EMS personnel. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed.

Fire departments interested in contributing apparatus or Honor Guard units are encouraged to contact the Virginia Department of Fire Programs at  pio@vdfp.virginia.gov.

2026 Virginia Firefighter and EMS Memorial Service

The 29th annual Memorial Service in Richmond, VA. Honoring fallen firefighters and EMS workers who have been recognized in the Virginia Line of Duty Act for their bravery and dedication to the Commonwealth.

Honorees Through The Years

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Leonard J. Archer

Richmond Fire Department

2026 Honoree

William K. Carter

Newport News Fire Department

2026 Honoree

Jeremy L. Compton

Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Department

2026 Honoree

Christopher S. Jones

City of Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services

2026 Honoree

Barry W. Maham

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue

2026 Honoree

Robert E. Talbott

Chesterfield Fire & EMS

2026 Honoree

David A. Thurston

Abingdon Volunteer Fire & Rescue

2026 Honoree

Steve A. Weikle

Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue

2026 Honoree

Trevor B. Brown

Sterling Volunteer Fire Company
2025 Honoree

Rodney J. Coles

Richmond Fire Department
2025 Honoree

Earl E. Dyer Jr.

Richmond Fire Department
2025 Honoree

Matthew Gallina

Virginia Beach Fire Department
2025 Honoree

Thomas Hennessy

Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department
2025 Honoree

David W. Hogan

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue
2025 Honoree

Andrew Jenks

Lynchburg Fire Department
2025 Honoree

Mark McCowan

Clinchco Volunteer Fire Department
2025 Honoree

Joseph Merricks

Altavista Volunteer Fire Company
2025 Honoree

Ian Strickler

Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department
2025 Honoree

John Tucker

Altavista Volunteer Fire Company
2025 Honoree

James Ward

Virginia Department of Forestry
2025 Honoree

Larry W. Akers

Longshop McCoy Fire and Rescue
2024 Honoree

James "Jimmy" M. Alexander, Jr.

Hanover County Fire-EMS
2024 Honoree

James "Jimmy" E. Brewster

D.A.D. Volunteer Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Ernest "Ernie" N. Cash

Monelison Volunteer Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Matthew "Chevy" R. Chiaverotti

Virginia Beach Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Cameron B. Craig

Abingdon Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Mia R. Ethridge

Louisa County Fire and EMS
2024 Honoree

James A. Foster

Rice Volunteer Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Brian R. Hricik

Alexandria Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Helen "Gracey" Humbert

Botetourt County Fire and EMS
2024 Honoree

Chester T. Lauck

Frederick County Fire and Rescue
2024 Honoree

William A. McFarland

Richmond Fire Department
2024 Honoree

Gregory "Greg" C. Meinel

Vinton First Aid Crew
2024 Honoree

Alicia A. Monahan

Chesterfield County Fire and EMS
2024 Honoree

Rory "Bud" C. Swanson

Lower King and Queen Fire-EMS
2024 Honoree

Stephen D. Whitson

Henrico County Division of Fire
2024 Honoree

Rocky S. Wood

Virginia Department of Forestry
2024 Honoree

Gary C. Campbell

Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management
2023 Honoree

TyVaughn "Ty" N. Eldridge

Chesterfield Fire and EMS
2023 Honoree

Christopher G. Griffin

Norfolk Fire-Rescue
2023 Honoree

Robert "Bobby" W. Nelms

Fries Fire and Rescue
2023 Honoree

Jeffrey T. Rizzo

Loudoun County Fire-Rescue
2023 Honoree

Kimberly A. Schoppa

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
2023 Honoree

James A. Sturgill

Pound Volunteer Fire Department
2023 Honoree

Gregory V. Thomas

Danville Fire Department
2023 Honoree

Michael W. Webb

Callaway Volunteer Fire Department
2023 Honoree

Herbert "Butch" T. Wilcox

Rocky Mount Fire Department
2023 Honoree

Lawrence "Jeff" Phipps, Sr.

Hanover Fire-EMS
2022 Honoree

Lyndell N. Woods

Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Department
2022 Honoree

Sean H. Land

Virginia Beach Fire Department
2022 Honoree

Todd A. Landreth

Norfolk Airport Fire Department
2022 Honoree

History of the Memorial Service

For over 20 years, on the first Saturday in June, we gather to honor the courageous firefighters and EMS personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. This annual event, hosted by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, recognizes those who have been acknowledged by the Virginia Line of Duty Act in the past year.

This memorial service expresses our deep gratitude, unwavering support to the families left behind and reflecting on the unyielding dedication of our firefighters and EMS personnel. It is a powerful moment for our community to unite, pay tribute to the fallen and renew our commitment to those who continue to serve with such selflessness and bravery.

Ceremony Highlights

Honor Guard Procession: A solemn march to pay respect to our fallen heroes.
Memorial Roll Call: A reading of the names of those we have lost.
Guest Speakers: Hear from distinguished guests who will share their words of remembrance and gratitude.
Musical Tributes: Performances that reflect the solemnity and respect of the occasion.
Family Recognition: Special acknowledgment of the families who have endured such great loss.

Eligibility

Each year, we honor the dedicated individuals who have been approved under the Line of Duty Act (LODA) for their service and sacrifice.

The memorial service recognizes those whose LODA approvals were finalized during the previous calendar year. This year's honorees are recognized under LODA for their bravery and dedication to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

An annual list of eligible Honorees is provided by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security containing honorees who have received Virginia LODA Approval between January 1 and December 31 of the prior year.

Primary Event Contact

For more information about the Virginia Fallen Firefighters & Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service, please contact Will Merritt, Public Information Officer (PIO) at (804) 249-1986 or via email at pio@vdfp.virginia.gov.

Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service