Gov. Bruce Rauner was among those who paid tribute to two Southland firefighters who died in December in the line of duty, during a memorial ceremony Tuesday recognizing several fallen Illinois firefighters.
Chicago firefighter Dan Capuano of Mount Greenwood was killed during a warehouse fire. Mark Zielinski, Sr., a 13-year veteran of the Matteson Fire Department, died while performing CPR on a patient.
The 23rd Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony was held in Springfield. Hundreds, including members of the Capuano and Zielinski families, attended the event, which honors those killed in the line of duty.
“Every day, Illinois firefighters put themselves in harm’s way and their lives on the line to protect the people of Illinois,” Rauner said. “Unfortunately, some of these brave men and women pay the ultimate sacrifice. It’s important to remember and honor these fallen heroes to ensure they are never forgotten.”
Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Secretary of State Jesse White also spoke.
On Dec. 14, Capuano was searching through heavy smoke after his Chicago Fire Department company was dispatched to a fire in a vacant warehouse when the 15-year veteran with Chicago, and a part-time firefighter in Evergreen Park for more than 16 years, fell down an elevator shaft. He died hours after the fall.
Hundreds of firefighters from across North America flooded into the St. Rita of Cascia High School chapel for Capuano’s somber funeral service.
The Orland Fire Protection District will present a fire truck named in honor of Capuano on May 18 to students of the Moraine Valley Community College Fire Science Academy.
Capuano is survived by his wife of 20 years, Julie, and three children Amanda, 16, Andrew, 13, and Nick 12.
Zielinski, 49, was performing CPR on Dec. 4 to a customer at the Matteson Wal-Mart when the firefighter/paramedic began suffering from heart problems. He was rushed to Franciscan St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. An autopsy determined he died of natural causes.
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Tuesday’s ceremony also recognized fallen Chicago firefighter Fidel Serrano, Jr., and Chief Kenneth Lehr of the downstate Medora Fire Protection District, both of whom were killed over the past year, according to the governor’s office. Their families were also in attendance.
“In the fire service, nationwide, we lose an average of 100 firefighter in a year. That’s way too many,” said Jeff Bruno, state commander for the Associated Firefighters of Illinois Honor Guard.
Bruno attended Tuesday’s memorial ceremony, which he said is a touching tribute to the sacrifices made by firefighters.
“It tugs at our hearts to know these men and women in the fire service give it all every day to serve their community,” Bruno said.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.