SPRINGFIELD, Unwell. — Sterling Hearth Capt. Garrett Ramos was one in every of 4 firefighters posthumously honored Tuesday in Springfield, Illinois. The memorial companies had been a part of the twenty ninth annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighting Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony.

Ramos died within the line of obligation on Dec. 4, 2021, whereas battling a fireplace in rural Rock Falls. Officers stated he was killed after a ground collapsed beneath him whereas he was contained in the burning constructing.

Spouse of fallen Sterling firefighter asks departments to take accountability for errors made throughout deadly hearth

EMS crews tried life-saving measures on Ramos on the scene and en path to CGH Medical Heart the place medical doctors continued their efforts to no avail. He’s the primary line-of-duty dying within the historical past of the Sterling Hearth Division.

Ramos’ relations, together with his spouse Brittney, had been current at Tuesday’s ceremonies the place they accepted the Line of Responsibility Dying Gold Badge in his honor. The badge is introduced to the households of firefighters who died whereas in, or because of, the efficiency of their obligation.

“Garrett was a pure chief, all the time uplifting these round him with contagious laughter and selfless care,” stated Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “He was a person of braveness and profound love. And as his kids develop up, they need to by no means doubt how proud he was to be their dad.”

The opposite three fallen firefighters honored with the Gold Badge had been:

• Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Pickering, Chicago Hearth Division
• Firefighter MaShawn Plummer, Chicago Hearth Division
• Firefighter Mehdi Mourad, Wabash Hearth Safety District

Ramos was additionally given the Firefighter Excellence Award which fellow Sterling firefighter Michael Liedberg accepted on his behalf. The dignity acknowledges an act of service within the line of obligation, demonstrating excellence and professionalism in service to Illinois residents.

“We categorical our everlasting gratitude for the sacrifices made by our Gold Badge households and we pray they’re granted power and serenity,” stated state Hearth Marshal Matt Perez. “We additionally elevate up their brothers and sisters on the Wabash, Sterling and Chicago hearth departments will persevere past these tragedies to proceed this legacy of selflessness. There aren’t any phrases able to filling the void that has been left in your hearts. However know that our brothers have left this earth doing what they had been born to do and what they liked to do.”

A number of different members of the Sterling Hearth Division, in addition to the Galesburg Hearth Division had been introduced with awards in the course of the ceremony.

Sterling Lt. Adrian Avelar and firefighters Jeff Kimpel and Lucas Pfister had been awarded with the Medal of Valor, given to these for an act of heroism or bravery within the face of hazard.

Sterling firefighter Nick Hammer and Galesburg Capt. James Pendergast and Kyle Harms had been additionally awarded with the Firefighter Excellence Award.

Galesburg firefighters Andrew Johnson, Kyle McGee and Anthony McKillip had been introduced with a Firefighter Excellence Unit Quotation Award, given to those that show excellence, teamwork and professionalism for an act of service.