Never forgotten: Three Virginia firefighters remembered as part of national tribute

Three Virginia firefighters were memorialized as part of a national tribute in Maryland earlier this month.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosted the 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, in Emmitsburg.

This tribute honored 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years.

The weekend was “a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors.

Markel said the goal was “not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.”

The Virginia firefighters who were honored included:

• Firefighter Trevor Brown, age 45, of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, died on February 16, 2024, in a gas explosion at a residential structure.
• Battalion Chief Gary Clark Campbell, age 52, of Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management, died on January 20, 2022, from complications of COVID-19.
• Firefighter James Carson Ward Jr., age 49, of the Virginia Department of Forestry, died on March 30, 2024, of a heart attack while operating at a wildland fire.