Flags ordered to half-staff in honor of fallen Oldham Co. firefighter
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday ordered flags to half-staff in honor of fallen Oldham County firefighter Thomas Petschke, Jr.
Flags will be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Monday, Nov. 20.
His funeral was held today and began at 11 a.m. He will be interred on Monday in Acacia Park in Buffalo, New York.
Sgt. Petschke, Jr. died in the line of duty after suffering a medical emergency while fighting a wildfire on Nov. 11.
He was 53.
Petschke, Jr. worked for the Ballardsville Fire Department in Crestwood, which is about a little over an hour northwest of Fayette County.
The fire department wrote the following post on Facebook:
“It is with profound sorrow that we share the devastating news of the line of duty death of one of our members, Sgt. Thomas Petschke, Jr. Sgt. Petschke tragically suffered a medical emergency while bravely serving at a fire scene yesterday. He dedicated a decade of his life to selflessly serving the citizens of our community, and his loss is deeply felt by our entire department.
Sgt. Petschke was an exceptional firefighter and a cherished member of our department. His dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to public safety were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working alongside him. We ask that you keep Sgt. Petschke and his grieving family in your hearts during this unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts also extend to the firefighters who served alongside him and those who were with him yesterday, as they cope with the loss of their dear colleague and friend.
We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our community, and we kindly request that you respect the privacy and sensitivity of this situation while reaching out for further details.
Sgt. Petschke’s memory will forever live on in our hearts, and his legacy as a dedicated firefighter will continue to inspire us all.
Thank you,
Chief Fante”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oldham County Police Department and the Oldham County Fire Marshal’s Office are conducting a joint investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.
