Honoring

Fire Sergeant Thomas Petschke, Jr.

Ballardsville Fire & Rescue, Kentucky

EOW: Nov. 11, 2023 | Age: 53 | Tour: None

On Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, Fire Sergeant Thomas Petschke, Jr. was at the scene of a residential fire that had expanded into the woods. While battling the brush fire, he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. He was immediately treated and transported to the local hospital where he later passed away.

Honoring

Firefighter Andrew Price

Chicago Fire Department

EOW: Nov. 13, 2023 | Age: 39 | Tour: None

A firefighter who was described as “loved by so many” died Monday morning after battling a blaze in Lincoln Park, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Firefighter Andrew Price, 39, fell through a shaft and was trapped but was eventually pulled out of the building where the fire broke out, according to fire officials. The four-story building, at 2430-2432 N. Lincoln Ave., contains the Lincoln Station restaurant on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. “He took a fall,” CPD spokesperson Larry Langford said. “He fell through the building.” Price was transported in critical condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he died, CFD said. The fire broke out at about 6 a.m., CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said at a news conference outside the hospital. Price was on the roof when he fell through a light shaft, sustaining “significant injuries.” Crews broke a hole through the wall to get him out and then performed CPR. Price, known affectionately as “Drew” by friends and family, was married with children, Nance-Holt said. She said he was a “health nut,” working out frequently, and was “loved by so many.” Price had been with the department since 2009 and was an instructor at the academy, Holt said. He was assigned to Truck No. 44 in 2015.

Honoring

Senior Police Officer Jorge Pastore

Austin Police Department, Texas

EOW: Nov. 11, 2023 | Age: 38 | Tour: None

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Interim Chief Robin Henderson released the name of an APD officer who was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning during a SWAT response. Senior Police Officer Jorge Pastore and one other officer were struck by gunfire. Austin-Travis County EMS medics took the two officers to Dell Seton Medical Center, where Pastore died. “My heart is heavy today,” said Henderson in a social media post. “Please help me and our APD family pay tribute to SPO Jorge Pastore for his brave & heroic actions. Sir, we’ll take it from here.” Henderson said SWAT team members, including Pastore and the other APD officer, entered a south Austin house in an attempt to rescue two people being held by a barricaded suspect. During SWAT’s rescue attempt, officers and the suspect exchanged gunfire.