The Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund supports the educational pursuits of spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, providing financial assistance to deserving students studying in the field of public safety. Through this scholarship, the program honors the legacy of Sander Cohen and his dedication to supporting the families of fallen firefighters.
This scholarship was created to honor a hero who embodied empathy, grit, and service, and we hope to inspire those qualities in the men and women with a similar calling.
We aim to create pathways to the careers that keep our communities safe and reward the hard work and dedication it takes to get there. We look for a diverse group of candidates who strive to be a part of the rich network and community of first responders and see the opportunity not just as a job, but as a vocation.
About Sander
Sander Cohen, felt a calling to serve early in life. At 17 he joined Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, and in 2000 he and his team were awarded the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving. They searched for and rescued a lost person! Two years later at age 19, Sander joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.
The first year as a volunteer, he and his team rescued three people from a burning building. He was awarded a Citation of Bravery! Sander’s love of the fire service and his experience as a volunteer firefighter led him to his career in fire investigations. At the time of his death he was a Deputy Chief, Northeast Regional Commander of the Maryland Department of State Police. And a Captain at RVFD.
Sander’s life ended on December 8, 2017. He was 33 years old. He was on the way to Dulles Airport to assist with snow removal and then help the next day with Fantasy Flight, a program that offers children with serious illness’ the opportunity to “visit” Santa at the North Pole! Friends say Sander’s unselfish service is legendary and his legacy will live on!
He pulled his personal vehicle behind a disabled SUV that had hit the jersey wall. Unbeknownst to him, the motorist Sander stopped to help was Carlos Wolff, FBI, Supervisory Special Agent. Sander and Carlos were outside of their vehicles when a car struck both of them throwing them over the barrier into oncoming traffic. Sander suffered head, neck and chest injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Carlos sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital where he died. Everything that Sander accomplished was supported by education and training. In the fire, medic and police services education and training are a matter of life and death. All lives matter in these disciplines.
The Sander Cohen Scholarship Foundation was created to attract all women and men of all races and to support their ability to be successful in their careers. Money that is donated will be awarded by scholarship to those motivated to advance their careers and serve-just as Captain/Deputy Chief Sander Cohen was called to do.
Beginning in 2025, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is proud to continue that work by administering the newly renamed Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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