A memorial service held Wednesday morning honored Baltimore’s fallen firefighters who died in the line of duty last week.
On Jan. 24, Baltimore fire Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler and Firefighter Kenny Lacayo were battling a fire at a vacant rowhome on South Stricker Street in southwest Baltimore. They became trapped when part of the building collapsed.
Firefighter/Paramedic John McMaster, who was injured and recently released from the hospital, was also in attendance, among the thousands who honored three brave and heroic Baltimore City firefighters and saluted them for their sacrifice.
Firefighters from as far away as New York and Boston attended what was a touching celebration of three lives. Firefighters from as far away as Boston and South Carolina told 11 News they just wanted to show their support to the families and the Baltimore City Fire Department.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan talked about the lives lost and legacies they left behind.
“When we learned that we lost them, it shook us to the core,” Hogan said.
Battalion Chief Joshua Fannon described how dedicated his friend, Butrim, was and made the fallen firefighter a solemn promise.
“We will never forget,” Fannon said.
The families received flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol and medals of honor. Bells tolled, signifying the last alarm.
Friends, family share what made the firefighters human
Lt. Kelsey Sadler
1. Had 4,957 pictures on her phone
2. Hated attention and would have “ghosted her own funeral,” her sister said
3. Could hug so strong, you thought she might bruise you
4. Had the word “loyalty” tattooed on her wrist
5. Loved the movie “Home Alone” as a kid
6. Liked to take naps
7. Could be intense and “didn’t have a volume button”
8. Watched “Schitt’s Creek” a lot
9. Liked to see who could eat an entire cupcake in one bite
10. Was known as the “baddest (expletive) to ever walk the line” at the fire department
Lt. Paul Butrim
1. Great sense of humor and could take a joke
2. Nicknamed “Butt,” then “Butt Sauce,” then just “Sauce”
3. Red Sox fan
4. NASCAR fan — favorite driver was No. 9 Chase Elliott
5. Loved grocery shopping with his son, Nolan — they were inseparable
6. Proposed to his wife while crabbing
7. Embraced a healthy lifestyle, became a “gym rat”
8. Had OCD, everything had to have a place
9. Family camping trips were everything
10. Lost his son, Nolan, three years ago. It was devastating
Firefighter/Paramedic Kenny Lacayo
1. Loved concerts
2. Once snuck chocolate crepes into a concert stuffed inside his boxers
3. Was engaged to Clara
4. Wedding guest list is sitting on his fiancee’s laptop
5. Forced his fiancee to drink water when she only wanted more tequila
6. Was a middle child, but “never got the memo,” his sister said
7. Smile followed him everywhere he went
8. Lived with great intensity and kindness
9. “World isn’t right without Kenny,” his sister said
10. Had three loves: Clara, family and being a firefighter
Procession leads Baltimore’s heroes to Dulaney Valley
Following the memorial service downtown, a procession made its way to Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Cockeysville, Baltimore County. Firefighters and fire trucks lined overpasses to pay their respects.
As a sea of emergency vehicles entered the gate at Dulaney Valley surrounded by Baltimoreans who wanted to pay their final respects to the three heroes. East Padonia Road was lined with cones for miles away.
“It means a lot because these people put their lives on the line for us, and we’d like to pay the respects for what they do,” said Deborah Custer, of Timonium. “Prayers for the families. We really feel bad for the families. It hurts your heart.”
“I just think that it’s important for us as a community to always be a support and an encouragement to our heroes and their families,” said Aimee Goicochea, of Timonium.
Dozens of fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles lined the street.
“The ladder trucks with the flag. It’s just something about it that brings a tear to your eye,” said Rebecca Custer, of Timonium.
The importance of the big event was not lost on onlookers, including the youngest in attendance.
“(I came out) to think of the heroes in our world and kind of how we don’t really think every day about how they dedicate a lot of their life and a lot of their time to help their community,” said Margaret Delaney, of Timonium.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to actually see with their own eyes what it means to honor our heroes,” Goicochea said.
After the procession, family and friends gathered around the Fallen Heroes’ Memorial for the funeral. Butrim, Sadler and Lacayo are the 75th, 76th and 77th Maryland first responders lost in the line of duty who were added to the memorial.
The memorial wall inside the gardens is being preparing for the fallen firefighters’ names to be added in time for Fallen Heroes Day in May.
How to help the firefighters’ families
The BCFD Foundation Inc. is accepting donations for the fallen firefighters. All donations will provide financial support to the families of any BCFD firefighter or paramedic who suffers a serious injury or death while still an active member of the department. Tap here to donate.
A GoFundMe page has been created as a joint effort between the Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 and the Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF Local 964 to support the firefighters’ families.
This report will be updated.
