Eight fallen firefighters from Mississippi will be honored at the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 4-5 in Emmitsburg, Md.
This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The Mississippians set to be honored include:
- Firefighter Philip Alan, 49, of the Seminary Volunteer Fire Department, received a page for a rollover accident on May 17, 2023. He arrived on the scene and reported that he was checking for injuries. As he was crossing the highway, he was struck by a vehicle. He was treated on site by EMS and transported in critical condition to the local hospital where he died from his injuries that afternoon.
- Fire Chief Wayne Doyle, 62, of the Lowndes County Emergency Services Volunteer Fire District, died on Feb. 8, 2022, due to complications of COVID-19.
- District Chief Marshall “Mark” Hilley, 53, of the Gulfport Fire Department, died on Sept. 1, 2021, due to complications of COVID-19.
- Firefighter Clint Jacobs, 46, of the Wiggins Fire Department, died on Sept. 5, 2021, due to complications of COVID-19.
- Driver/Engineer Kenneth Rainey, 51, of the Bridgetown Fire Department, died on Dec. 14, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19.
- Captain Guandes Smith, 28, of the Sardis Volunteer Fire Department, died on Feb. 8, 2021, from complications of COVID-19.
- Captain Lee Tatum, 66, of the Greenleaf Volunteer Fire Department, died on Mar. 25, 2021 from complications of COVID-19.
- Assistant Chief Andrew Whittle, 58, of the District One Volunteer Fire Department, died on Oct. 7, 2021, due to complications of COVID-19.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these heroes – and their families.”
The events open to the public as part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend include a candlelight service on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET and a memorial service on May 5 at 10 a.m. ET. Both will be held at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park.
