Firefighter Johnny Tetrick, age 51, of the Cleveland Division of Fire died on November 19, 2022, after being struck at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
Johnny Tetrick
Philip M. Wigal
Lieutenant Philip M. Wigal, age 35, of the Town & Country Fire District died on March 11, 2022, after being struck at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
Ronald G. Reinhart
Lieutenant Ronald G. Reinhart, age 63, of the Defiance Fire and Rescue Division died on November 28, 2020, due to complications of cancer.
James M. Pero
Lieutenant James M. Pero, age 63, of the Mentor Fire Department died on June 13, 2021, due to complications of glioblastoma.
Tracy L. Leach
Firefighter/Paramedic Tracy L. Leach, age 52, of the Kettering Fire Department died on December 24, 2022, died due to complications of cancer.
Wayne B. Bingaman
Lieutenant Wayne B. Bingaman, age 60, of the Ripley Fire Department died on August 14, 2022, due to complications of cancer.
Paul Soles, Sr.
| Fire Chief Paul Soles Sr was the first full time paid fire chief of the City of Ashland Division of Fire. Chief Soles was a World War 1 veteran, and served as a volunteer in the fire department upon returning from the war. He was an active member of the community and was well respected by the members of the department. The chief served on numerous associations including the Ohio State Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the International Fire Chiefs Association. The chief was found deceased on the morning of May 16th, 1959, in his home by his son who was also a member of the department. The night before the chief had responded to a fire that multiple members reported being sick after. After returning to the station from the fire he reported feeling sick and left early that day. The next morning he was found deceased. |
Clay R. Westfall
Lieutenant Clay R. Westfall, age 49, of the Harrison Township Fire Department died from complications of cancer on July 14, 2020.
Selinde Downey Roosenburg
Selinde Roosenburg was raised on her family’s tree farm in Ohio. She grew up a barefoot explorer, building fairy houses and splashing in creeks. Lindy blossomed into a steward of Appalachian forests, planting trees, culling invasives, cutting firewood, milling lumber, and boiling maple syrup alongside her family.
In high school, Selinde excelled academically and was a dedicated member of the swim team and marching band. For two years, she studied forestry at The Ohio State University before she was accepted by University of Idaho’s Fire Science program to finish her training. All who knew her recognized that Selinde was a leader.
Lindy worked at Zaleski State Forest for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as a forest technician. Her enthusiasm for learning about prescribed fire in forest conservation was clear. She received a full scholarship to attend a Women in Fire event, where she earned her Firefighter Training and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior certificates. Then she participated in prescribed burns, taking photos that demonstrated her curiosity about wildland fire. Lindy’s supervisor praised her motivation, saying that she brought zeal and a strong work ethic to her job. Described by colleagues as positive, outgoing, and optimistic, Selinde never met a stranger.
In March 2021, Selinde tragically died from injuries sustained as a passenger in a utility terrain vehicle rollover while working on a prescribed burn at Richland Furnace State Forest. None of the three ODNR employees in the UTV were wearing seatbelts. In Selinde’s honor, ODNR has planted a memorial white oak tree in Zaleski State Forest and is renaming its most popular backpacking trail the Selinde Roosenburg Memorial Trail.
Lindy was beautiful without knowing it, burst with energy and enthusiasm, yet was quietly observant and introspective. She was often heard singing before she was seen and was a dedicated musician. A fiercely loyal and loving young woman, Lindy had humor so quick and dry that the unsuspecting only caught the pun or barb if they saw the twinkle in her eye. She lived with an inspiring liberation from social norms. For her, days were best spent making people laugh and serving her community.
In the months before Selinde’s death, she was the happiest in her life. She had her own apartment and a job she was passionate about; she had created a rewarding path forward. Lindy departed life on a high note, in the act of serving others and the forests of Appalachia. She is deeply missed by her parents, brother, cousins, family, and many friends.
Doug Dugan
Douglas J. Dugan, 62, passed away June 16, 2021, from a medical emergency, while responding to an incident.
Doug began his career in the fire service in 1972 with the Glen Robbins Fire Department. After his graduation, Doug served his country on the USS Carl Vinson, as a ship serviceman (SH3) from 1981-1985. While enlisted, he was able to serve alongside his lifelong friend Rich Hunker. During this time, Doug aided others in training during “General Quarters Trainings” aboard the USS Carl Vinson. This is where he found his passion for training with the fire service, which would become part of his life after the military.
Upon his return from the Navy, he continued his passion for the fire service by becoming involved in training of fire departments around the Ohio Valley with the Tri-County Fire School. In 2007, Doug earned the rank of chief with the Tiltonsville Volunteer Fire Department. Early on as chief he helped to establish the first set of standard operating procedures, as well as becoming a fire instructor in 2010. This is where he arguably made his biggest impact on the local fire service. Doug continuously pushed other firefighters and EMTs to further their careers with higher education and training. He led by example.
It was later in life that Doug found his second passion, his grandchildren, Owen (O-Bug) and Emma. Aside from answering calls for the fire department, nothing could get in the way of Doug spending time with his grandchildren, whether it was visits to the fire station or taking Owen for a round of golf (just to watch Pap “lose some golf balls”). Doug’s dedication to his wife, Peg, and family was certainly awe-inspiring, as he exemplified what it meant to be a loving husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many.
He was the true definition of a leader and is sadly missed by his family, his community, and his fellow firefighters.
