Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Raymond Ballow |
| Agency | Peoria Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 46 to 50 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 9/27/1888 |
| Date of Death | 12/22/1936 |
| Cause of Death | Stress/Overexertion |
| Nature of Death | Heart attack |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Post-incident |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Peoria |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 12/22/1936 21:55 |
| Incident Location | Street/Road |
| Incident Attribute | Fires |
Incident Summary
Raymond G. Ballow, a member of Engine Co. 3, died at the fire station at 151 Main Street at 9:55 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 1936. Just minutes before his untimely death, Engine 3 battled a truck fire just around the corner from Station 3 in the 100 block of South Sheridan Road. After returning to quarters, firefighter Ballow complained of feeling faint and decided to go to bed. Minutes later another firefighter heard Ballow gasping for air and immediately called for a doctor. Unfortunately, by the time Dr. E. C. Burhans arrived at the firehouse, Ballow was dead from a heart attack.
Ray Ballow, 48, was a 15-year veteran of the Peoria Fire Department and resided at the Reinhart Hotel at 625 South Adams Street. Born September 27, 1888, in Bicknell, IN, Ray was survives by his sister, Mrs. A. P. Threlkeld of Bicknell. Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 24, at the Gauss Mortuary Chapel in Peoria. Following the memorial service, Hoseman Ballow’s body was sent to Bicknell, Indiana, where final funeral services were conducted.
Summary by Marty Baker and Doug Brignall, Peoria Fire Department
Firefighter and Incident Images
