Notable Residents – Firefighters

Henry Krimbel – Portland Firefighter Henry Krimbel, of Truck 2, died in the line of duty.  While his death occurred October 23, 1932, the injury he sustained on August 16, 1930 would be attributed to his demise.  Krimbel fell through the skylight of the Counselor Apartments in downtown Portland.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 145.

James Reed – Portland Volunteer Firefighter James Reed, of Protection Engine Company #4, died in the line of duty on August 16, 1881.  Reed collapsed, suffering an apparent heart attack while his crew pulled a fire engine to a fire. He would die a short time later at the hospital.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 204.

Fred Wagner – Portland Firefighter Fred Wagner, of Truck 2, died in the line of duty on February 28, 1890.  Wagner was helping test a newly purchased fire engine when he was struck in the head by a hose nozzle.  He never regained consciousness.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 105.

img_1844John G. Hewston – Portland Firefighter John G. Hewston, of Engine 4, died in the line of duty on October 3, 1892.  He was at the scene of a fire in the Kamm Block (1st and Pine) when he was knocked from his ladder by a falling timber.  He died of a fractured skull.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave North 62.

Emil G. Gustafson – Portland Fire Alarm Telegraph Electrician Emil G. Gustafson died in the line of duty on March 16, 1916.  Gustafson was servicing the telegraph pole at NW 26th and Nicolai Streets when he came in contact with a 10,000 volt electrical line.  Life saving efforts at the scene were unsuccessful and he would later be pronounced dead at the hospital.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave North 100.

Francis H. McCormick – Portland Firefighter Francis H. McCormick, of Truck 1, died in the line of duty on August 15, 1919.  McCormick was at a fire at the foot of SW Lincoln Street when a hose line knocked him off of a trestle.  He fell about 30 feet, hitting his head.  He died later that morning.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 107.

Charles A. Ryan – Portland Firefighter Charles A. Ryan, Truck 3, died in the line of duty on May 20, 1928.  He and William McCreery were practicing with the ladder drill team for the upcoming Rose Festival Parade when their safety harness broke, causing both to fall from the top of the ladder to the street below.  Ryan died instantly.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 146.

William John McCreery – Portland Firefighter William John McCreery, Truck 3, died in the line of duty on May 20, 1928.  He and Charles A. Ryan were practicing with the ladder drill team for the upcoming Rose Festival Parade when their safety harness broke, causing both to fall from the top of the ladder to the street below.  McCreery died in the hospital 12 hours later.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 143.

Harry Josephson – Portland Fire Alarm Telegraph Electrician Harry Josephson died in the line of duty on July 23, 1928.  Josephson was servicing a telegraph line at SE 51st and Hawthorne when he lost his balance and fell 25 feet from the pole to the street, fracturing his skull.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave North 105.

Frank L. Kearney – Portland Firefighter Frank L. Kearney, of Engine 21, died in the line of duty on January 7, 1934.  Kearney and his crew were responding to a fire at NW 14th and Flanders when Engine 21 collided with Squad 1 at the intersection of SW 4th and Pine.  Nine firefighters were injured and Kearney was killed.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave North 108.

Harry U. Gardner – Portland Firefighter Harry U. Gardner, of Engine 28, died in the line of duty on img_4985January 19, 1935.  Gardner was overcome by smoke when advancing a hose line into a house fire at 2305 NE 51st Avenue.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave North 109.

Karl G. Markstrom – Portland Captain Carl G. Markstrom, of Engine 4, died in the line of duty on June 3, 1940.  Markstrom was advancing a hose line into a fire at 5331 SW Macadam Avenue when the oxygen deficient atmosphere caused a fellow firefighter to pass out.  He attempted a rescue, but also succumbed to the oxygen deficiency.  He was found with Ernest Bills, both unconscious.  They would both be pronounced dead at the scene.  He is buried in the Firefighter’s Section (Block 5) Grave South 150.