LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is coming up, starting May 3 in Maryland. This year, 12 firefighters from Kentucky will be honored.
That includes Zoneton firefighter Sgt. John T. Vickers Jr., who died in June 2024 after a long fight with cancer.
Vickers was a 7-year veteran of the Zoneton Fire Protection District, retiring from after a 30-year career with the Okolona Fire District.
The 62-year-old also served on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department motorcade as its longest-serving volunteer reserve deputy.
The National Fallen Firefighters candlelight service will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 3, followed by a memorial service May 4 at 10 a.m. Both are open to the public, and will be streamed live on the organization's website, YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Below is a full list of the Kentucky firefighters being honored, courtesy of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:
- Chief Charles E. "Bubba" Brumfield, age 55, of the Nicholasville Fire Department, died Aug. 1, 2021, from complications of cancer.
- Battalion Chief Mitchell T. Christian, age 60, of the Ashland Fire Department, died April 10, 2023, from complications of cancer.
- Firefighter Gerald J. Cox, age 47, of the Priceville Volunteer Fire Department, died June 28, 2019, from complications of cancer.
- Firefighter Darrell Keith Helton, age 49, of the Belfry Volunteer Fire Department, died Sept. 5, 2024, from a heart attack while operating at a structure fire.
- Firefighter Arthur "Butch" Henley, age 63, of the Rolling Fork Fire Department, died March 14, 2021, from complications of cancer.
- Firefighter/EMT Mark R. Hernandez, age 54, of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Fire Department, died Sept. 29, 2023, from complications of cancer.
- Captain Travis L. Ransom, age 49, of the Union Fire Protection District, died June 21, 2024, from complications of cancer.
- Firefighter Geneva K. Salyer, age 56, of the Red Bush Volunteer Fire Department, died Aug. 29, 2023, from complications of cancer.
- Firefighter Gregory T. VanHoose, age 60, of the Rockhouse Volunteer Fire Department, died April 21, 2023, from complications of cancer.
- Sergeant John T. Vickers Jr., age 62, of the Zoneton Fire Protection District, died June 7, 2024, from complications of cancer.
- Captain Roy Franklin "Frank" Whitt, age 72, of the Route 504 Volunteer Fire Department, died March 12, 2024, from injuries sustained in an apparatus accident during a fire department escort.
- Forest Ranger Technician Charles Wilburn, age 59, of the Kentucky Department of Forestry, died June 4, 2020, from complications of cancer.
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