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Memorial Monday – Swanson Office Building Fire

Memorial Monday

Incident Date: June 4, 1965
Department: Omaha Fire Department (NE)
Number of Line-of-Duty Deaths: 2

Firefighter Loren H. Desler (Engine #6) and Firefighter Samuel M. Douchey (Aerial #3), who were working detached duty on Engine #20 at the time of the fire, were conducting a search for possible trapped office workers when they were overcome and died from smoke inhalation. The fire occurred at the Swanson Office Building at 8401 Dodge Street. Firefighter Desler, age 28, was a married father of four children. He was laid to rest at Graceland Park Cemetery in Omaha. Firefighter Douchey, age 24, was a married father of three children. He was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha.

» Read more: Swanson Office Building Fire LODD PowerPoint

Died of Smoke Inhalation

 

More About Memorial Monday

Memorial Monday is established to remember the sacrifice of firefighters who died in the line of duty before the National Memorial was created in 1981. On the last Monday of every month, a firefighter, or groups of firefighters, will be remembered through information located about the firefighter and their sacrifice.