IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

Name William Shannon
Agency Chicago Fire Department
Rank Lieutenant
Type of Firefighter Career
Age Range 46 to 50
Sex Male
Date of Birth 0/0/0
Date of Death 8/23/1914
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 8/23/1914
Incident Location Street/Road
Incident Attribute Electrical hazards

Incident Summary

On August 23, 1914, Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant William H. Shannon of Engine 119 died in the line of duty near the Engine 119 firehouse on Avondale Avenue. A member of the fire department for twenty-six years, Shannon was electrocuted during a storm when he tried to retrieve from the street an electrical wire that he believed was no longer charged. Firefighters attempted to revive him with a resuscitating machine, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Citations:

“Wire Kills Two; Bolt Hits Woman Embalming Body; Fireman Loses Life,” Chicago Daily Tribune, August 24, 1914.


Firefighter and Incident Images

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