Submitted by his wife

Derrick was born November 14‚ 1958‚ to Harry and the late Nancy Harvey‚ in Philadelphia‚ PA.

Derrick’s education began within the Philadelphia School System and later continued at the Penn Center Academy‚ where he successfully graduated. He continued his formal academic studies at Community College of Philadelphia majoring in chemistry and later‚ in computer science at a local technical institution.

He was appointed to the Philadelphia Fire Academy‚ on November 13th‚ 1989.

Derrick’s love of music flourished at an early age. He played the tuba and the trombone during his school years and was ‘first chair’ in the All-City Band in high school. He continued to play music in competitive marching bands well after graduating from high school.

During his exemplary career as a firefighter‚ Derrick worked at Engine 59 and Tower Ladder 18‚ located at 22nd St. and Hunting Park Avenue. In 2002‚ he earned a promotion to the rank of Fire Lieutenant. In this new role‚ he assumed additional responsibilities as a front-line supervisor at Quint 69‚ located at 8201 Tinicum Ave. Soon after this assignment‚ Derrick was offered and accepted a position as a permanent instructor assigned to the Philadelphia Fire Academy. Lieutenant Harvey served in the prestigious role as class coordinator for the 177th Fire Cadet Class. In this role‚ Lieutenant Harvey was ultimately responsible for the successful preparation‚ indoctrination and training of 77 new employees into the professional world of firefighting.

After successfully completing his assignment at the Fire Academy‚ Lieutenant Harvey returned to his first love‚ as a supervisor in an active firefighting company. Lieutenant Harvey was asked to join the Philadelphia Fire Department’s prestigious Special Operations Command. He served in that capacity as a shift supervisor at Engine Company 72‚ located at 1127 W. Louden Street in Philadelphia.

Derrick’s love for community service continued while off-duty as well. He unselfishly volunteered to participate in the Hero Scholarship Fund Trill Show for ten consecutive years. He was also committed to such charities as the Leukemia Foundation where he successfully performed in the role of fund-raiser‚ while competing in twenty-six mile marathons.

On January 9‚ at 0626‚ Lieutenant Harvey of Squirt 72‚ along with other companies was dispatched to Tactical Box 4465 9th St. and Lindley Ave. Arriving on location Squirt 72 reported a middle of the row dwelling at 932 W. Lindley Ave. with light smoke showing. A few minutes latter Battalion 2 reported that they had a basement fire with heavy smoke conditions and placed two engines and two ladders in service. Almost ten minutes after that Battalion 2 reported that the companies were making good progress. The balance of the Box was dispatched at 0640.

While operating on the fire ground Lt. Harvey was seriously injured and burned when he reportedly fell through the first floor and was left hanging from the joists over the basement. Other companies initiated rescue efforts and extricated Brother Derrick from the house.

At 0713 he was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center via PFD Medic Unit‚ and at approximately 0900 he was transferred to Temple University Hospital Burn Unit and listed in critical condition.

The PFD Fire Marshall has determined the cause of the fire to be combustibles too close to a fixed heater.

Lieutenant Harvey fought valiantly but passed away at 1:11 pm on January 15th. Our thoughts and prayers are with Derrick’s family and the members of Squirt 72.

January 15‚ 2004 1330 HRS

The Board of Local 22 regrets to announce the death of Local 22 Brother and Philadelphia Fire Department Lieutenant Derrick Harvey today. Brother Derrick succumbed to injuries he suffered while operating on Box 4465‚ 9th St. and Lindley Ave.‚ on January 9‚ 2004

Lieutenant Harvey was a member of Squirt 72‚ located at 1127 W Louden Street in the Logan section of the City. Brother Derrick was 45 years old at the time of his death and a fourteen year veteran of the PFD. Lieutenant Harvey is the second PFD member to give his life in the line of duty in the last four months and the 275th member of the Department to make the ultimate sacrifice since the founding of the PFD in 1871.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family‚ friends‚ the members of Squirt 72‚ and the entire fire fighting family. You will be missed Brother Derrick.

Memorial donations can be made to the Hero Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia‚ 1617 JFK Blvd.‚ Suite 933‚ Philadelphia 19103.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife‚ Evelyn; his father and step-mother‚ Harry Harvey and Flavia Harvey; his brother‚ Bruce Harvey; daughter‚ Ciera Smith; half-sister‚ Hasina Harvey; aunts‚ Nettie Edwards and Sarah Collins; uncle‚ Harry Collins and a host of cousins‚ other relatives and friends. Derrick’s devoted friend‚ Rochelle Woodson and her two children‚ Rachel and Gavin‚ also played a very special role in his life.