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National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Roll of Honor

Lieutenant
Age: 26
Year of Death: 2011

Jarrett T. Eleam

Jarrett Eleam died January 12‚ 2011‚ as a result of a stroke suffered during SCBA training at the firehouse two days earlier.

Jarrett joined the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company in 2009 and graduated from Firefighter 1 Boot Camp in July 2010. He completed the necessary training to become a firefighter in record time and was signed up to begin EMT training at the time of his death. He was dedicated to continued training and improving his skills as a firefighter‚ consistently ranking among the top ten responders in the department each month. At the installation of officers held just days before his death‚ Jarrett was honored as one of the top responders of the company‚ coming in fourth with more than 400 calls. He was also installed as lieutenant of fire prevention and was described as an-up-and-coming member of the company. He loved being a part of the fire department and particularly enjoyed visiting area schools to teach students fire prevention. He was the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the department’s 74-year history.

A Pittsburgh‚ Pennsylvania native‚ Jarrett was a graduate of Oliver High School and Duquesne University‚ where he graduated in 2007 with a degree in business administration. At Duquesne‚ Jarrett was president of Delta Sigma Pi‚ a campus business fraternity‚ and was very active on the national level‚ organizing trips for students to go to national conventions. He was an avid volunteer‚ working with homeless people and campus multicultural events. He moved to the Buffalo‚ New York area after graduation‚ where he worked for Target before joining the fire department.

Jarrett is survived by his parents‚ Terrell and Jacqueline Eleam of Millvale‚ Pennsylvania. The second youngest of twelve brothers and sisters‚ Jarrett is survived by nine siblings‚ Adrian Locke‚ Darneice Bivins‚ Lillian Cannon‚ Dionnea Watkins; Terrell‚ Sharell‚ Jacquelin and Termane Eleam; and Gloria Wicks. He was predeceased by his brother and sister‚ Norman and Lavenia Williams.

Jarrett signed up to be an organ donor the day he got his license and was able to help others through organ donation. This was not a surprise to those who knew him and his dedication to helping others and working for the greater good. Friends and family remember him as easy to like‚ helpful‚ positive‚ and hardworking.

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Memorial Wall

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  1. My brother will always be missed!! Love you bro!! You have our mom & siblings with you in.heaven!!

    – sharell eleam
  2. Memories of you live on brother! RIP.

    – Dan Jardine
  3. Its been 5 years brother, but I still keep the photo of us in fire bootcamp above my desk.

    Rest in Peace brother.

    – Adam Fredette
  4. Today is your 35th birthday. You were Theta Rho’s Chapter President. Now, you would be old enough to be POTUS. You are missed by so many. You made all of us better. Miss you. Proud to have been your Deltasig Brother. Honored that you called me a friend.

    – Arnel Balcita
  5. Just thinking about you

    – Angela Anzalone