Remembering Brenda Cowan 15 years after line of duty death

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — On this very day 15 years ago the Lexington Fire Department lost its first African-American female lieutenant.

But Brenda Cowan’s legacy lives on.

“She was a role model for not just women not just for the blacks on the job she was a role model for any and everybody,” says Battalion Chief Lee Hayden with Lexington Fire.

February 13th, 2004 is when Cowan died, shot while responding to call.

Her story is one we’ve reported every year on the anniversary of her death.

Hayden says Cowan was on at the same time as him and she was a friend.

“Her personality was infectious and it was to the point where whenever she was around people you knew she was in the room and she included you,” gushes Hayden.

Cowan had many accomplishments as the city’s first African-American female firefighter and she had just been promoted to lieutenant before the tragic day.

“So it’s good to see she wasn’t forgotten outside the department because we know she will always be remembered within,” says Hayden.

Hayden says many safety policies went in to effect after her death like having police secure a scene before paramedics can respond.

“Sadly it was a bad run and it was something we pray never happens again,” says Hayden. “But that’s why those things are put in place to help us to decrease anything of that type of nature from happening again.”

The fire department also started a youth camp in her honor to inspire younger generations to choose a career helping others. Something Cowan chose to do, many years ago.

“She poured herself into the youth because she understood they’re our future,” says Hayden. “So we saw it fitting to name the camp after her.”

Hayden says she is sorely missed by everyone.