IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

Name Ernest Heide
Agency Chicago Fire Department
Rank Firefighter
Type of Firefighter Career
Age Range 31 to 35
Sex Male
Date of Birth 0/0/0
Date of Death 1/23/1929
Cause of Death Contact/Exposure
Nature of Death Electrocution
Attribute of Death [not applicable]
Type of Duty Responding to/returning from incident

Incident Details

Incident Name N/A
Incident City Chicago
Incident State IL
Incident Date 1/23/1929
Incident Location Street/Road
Incident Attribute Electrical hazards

Incident Summary

On January 23, 1929, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Ernest Heide of Engine 25 died in the line of duty while reporting for duty. Heide was aboard a streetcar traveling on Halsted Street when he noticed a downed power line on Archer Avenue that was shooting off sparks into the street. Heide ordered the streetcar driver to stop and was trying to keep pedestrians away from the power line, but he was electrocuted when a gust of wind caused the wire to brush against him. Heide was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Citation:

“Two South Side Firemen Killed in Line of Duty,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 24, 1929.


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