Name | Walter O'Connell |
Agency | Peoria Fire Department |
Rank | Firefighter |
Type of Firefighter | Career |
Age Range | 41 to 45 |
Sex | Male |
Date of Birth | 0/0/1893 |
Date of Death | 11/1/1936 |
Cause of Death | Fall |
Nature of Death | Trauma |
Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
Type of Duty | Responding to/returning from incident |
Incident Name | N/A |
Incident City | Peoria |
Incident State | IL |
Incident Date | 10/27/1936 15:30 |
Incident Location | Firehouse |
Incident Attribute | Firehouse accidents |
Hoseman Walter T. O’Connell, 43, was a 13-year veteran of the Peoria Fire Department. He resided at 511Windom Street and was survived by three sisters, Mrs. Hazel Wagler, Miss Cecile O’Connell and Mrs. Bessie Bail, and one brother, Edward.
At 3:30p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 1936, a fire alarm sounded at station 3. Fireman O’Connell rushed to the pole but misjudged the distance to the apparatus floor below and released his grip on the pole prematurely. The alarm proved to be false.
Although he suffered bruises on his face and head, and pain in his feet and legs, O’Connell’s injuries were not thought to be serious. However, a few days on November 1, 1936, Walter T. O’Connell died from acute inflammation of the brain.
On November 3, 1936, funeral ceremonies were conducted to honor Walter T. O’Connell. Fire Engine 3, draped in black, along with men from Fire Station 3, led the funeral procession, accompanying their friend on his “Last Alarm.”
Summary by Marty Baker and Doug Brignall, Peoria Fire Department