Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
Read more: Local, State, Politics, Community, Bill Ritter, Flags, Half Staff, Sunday, Lowered, Firefighters, Died
DENVER -- Gov. Bill Ritter has ordered that U.S. and Colorado flags be lowered to half-staff on state buildings across Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 4, in observance of the 28th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
Four Colorado firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008 will be among the 98 men and five women who will be remembered at the official service held at the National Fire Academy in Maryland:
They are:
* Capt. Shane Stewart, Ault-Pierce Fire Protection District, who died Feb. 23, 2008, while responding to a medical emergency call.
* Chief Terry DeVore, Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department, who died April 15, 2008, while responding to a brush fire.
* Firefighter John Schwartz Jr., Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department, who died April 15, 2008, while responding to a brush fire.
* Pilot Gert Marais, Aero Applicators (a Colorado State Forest Service contractor) of Sterling, who died April 15, 2008, when his single-engine air tanker crashed while fighting a wildland fire.
Fire departments across the country will conduct simultaneous services, lower flags to half-staff, sound sirens at noon, and observe a moment of silent tribute.
