Fallen firefighters remembered at memorial

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Two names were added to the Kentucky Fallen Firefighter Memorial on Wednesday during the 15th annual memorial service in Juniper Hills Park in Frankfort. Kentucky’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial was erected in 1999 and includes more than 200 names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The two names added this year were Tony Grider from the Campbellsville Fire Department and Malcolm Jenkins from the Fern Creek Fire Department.

“It’s so difficult when a new name is added to the memorial,” said Ronnie Day, executive director of the Kentucky Fire Commission. “These fallen men and women sacrificed their lives to protect others, and they will never be forgotten.” The memorial service included a wreath laying to honor Kentucky’s fallen heroes and the unveiling of the names that were added to the wall.

The tenth annual Red Helmets Courage Ride, a motorcycle tribute to firefighters who died in the line of duty, began at Frankfort Fire and EMS Station #3 prior to the service. All proceeds from the ride are donated to the memorial fund for maintenance. The Memorial is a joint effort by the Kentucky Firefighters Association, Kentucky Professional Firefighters, Association of Fire Chiefs, Frankfort Fire and EMS and the Kentucky Fire Commission.