Honoring

Chief Minton “Butch” Beach

Oak City Volunteer Fire Department, NC

EOW: March 22, 2023 | Age: 68 | Tour: 50 years

On Monday, March 13, 2023, Chief Minton “Butch” Beach was attending fire department mandated training at the station. During the training, he started to feel ill and returned home. A while later, fire department members checked on him and he was still feeling poorly. He was transported to the hospital where he remained until his passing on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from an apparent heart attack.

Honoring

Firefighter Jeff M. Pfeiffer

Deptford Fire Department, NJ

EOW: March 24, 2023 | Age: 66 | Tour: 50 years

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Firefighter Jeff M. Pfeiffer responded to a smoke investigation at the intersection in the town of Deptford. No fire or smoke was found. On the return trip, Firefighter Pfeiffer began to cough. As firefighters arrived at the fire station, the coughing became more aggressive and he began to experience shortness of breath. He had suffered a heart attack. Firefighter Pfeiffer then became unresponsive. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he remained in critical condition. The next day, Friday, March 24, 2023, there was no sign of brain activity and the family made a decision to take him off of life support. Firefighter Jeff M. Pfeiffer was an organ donor and was also the past chief of the department.

Honoring

Corporal Scotty Canezaro

Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana

EOW: March 26, 2023 | Age: 38 | Tour: 16 years

Corporal Scotty Canezaro and Sergeant David Poirrier were killed in a helicopter crash in a field off North Winterville Road, near U.S. 190 at Erwinville, at about 2:26 am. The crew of the Robinson R-44 helicopter was sent to assist in the pursuit of a fleeing vehicle around 2 am. While in flight, the helicopter's tail rotor struck a tree before crashing into a field. Corporal Canezaro had served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for 16 years and was assigned to the Air Support Unit.

Honoring

Sergeant David Poirrier

Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana

EOW: March 26, 2023 | Age: 47 | Tour: 17 years

Sergeant David Poirrier and Corporal Scotty Canezaro were killed in a helicopter crash in a field off North Winterville Road, near U.S. 190 at Erwinville, at about 2:26 am. The crew of the Robinson R-44 helicopter was sent to assist in the pursuit of a fleeing vehicle around 2 am. While in flight, the helicopter's tail rotor struck a tree before crashing into a field. Sergeant Poirrier had served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to the Air Support Unit.

Honoring

Police Officer Garrett Crumby

Huntsville Police Department, Alabama

EOW: March 28, 2023 | Age: 36 | Tour: 11 years

Police Officer Garrett Crumby was shot and killed while responding to a shots fired call at the 4600 block of Governors House Drive at 4:45 pm. A female called 911 and reported that she had been shot. When Officer Crumby and another officer responded, they were ambushed by the subject. Both officers were transported to Huntsville Hospital where Officer Crumby succumbed to his wounds. The other officer remains in critical condition. The subject was taken into custody and charged with capital murder of a law enforcement officer. Officer Crumby had served with the Huntsville Police Department for three years and previously served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, mother, father, and three sisters.

Honoring

Firefighter Edward “Eddie” Hykel

City of West Fire Department, TX

EOW: March 28, 2023 | Age: 60 | Tour: 16 years

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, the City of West Fire Department and Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers were providing traffic control on I-35N after a vehicle caught on fire. The inside lane was shut down with traffic control devices, a fire truck, and two DPS patrol units. A driver of a Peterbilt tractor trailer traveling on the inside lane struck Firefighter Hykel, the fire truck, and the patrol units. Firefighter Hykel was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away a short time later from his injuries.