PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria firefighters gathered at City Hall on Tuesday to honor their fallen brothers.
The annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony honors the 16 firefighters who died in the line of duty in the Peoria Fire Department’s 150 year history.
Chief Shawn Sollberger says support from the city and community makes the ceremony more special.
“Obviously within our own space, we recognize and understand why we’re here today,” Sollberger said. “But to see city staff, to see city council, city manager, people throughout the community, retired firefighters, to be down here today and every single year, I think that’s what touches us the most.”
The last name added to the list was Earl Biegler in 1960, with Sollberger saying the department is challenged to train and educate itself each day to not add to the list.
The ceremony also recognized a firefighter who had passed away earlier this year. Captain Eric Scoby passed away in February from occupational cancer at the age of 52, after 31 years of service to the department.
“What Eric provided to this workforce is a jovial soul, a very calm demeanor, extremely intelligent, hard worker, and we lost a brother,” Sollberger said.
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