Engineer – HazMat Technician Ricky S. Pearce, on Phoenix Fire Department’s HazMat Ladder 4, responded to a worker trapped in a chemical silo tank. He and other crews were attempting to save the worker when the silo exploded and killed Ricky, and nearly killing several others.

He was born May 30, 1952 in North Carolina.

Ricky is survived by his parents, wife, daughter, as well as his son, Chris Pearce, who is a Phoenix Fire Special Operations Captain.

Ricky is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park, Phoenix, by the Bell Tower. His grave is marked with a red cross during the annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorials each January. A historical marker and flag streamer were dedicated on October 23, 2010 at 4401 South 35th Avenue, on the east side of street.