Friday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. the Aurora Fire Department honored three firefighters who were tragically killed 85 years ago when an exterior wall collapsed upon them at the Woolworth 5 & 10 store at 19-21 South Broadway. January 11, 1934, Captain Herbert L. Reiss, age 37 of Engine Company 4, Captain John Petersohn, age 48 of Engine Company 5, and Firefighter Charles Hoffman, age 35 of Engine Company 4 all answered their last alarm. Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krientz, above, and Deputy Chief John Gilbert both spoke at the ceremony while the AFD Honor Guard placed a wreath beneath the memorial plaque. Present were family members, Aurora Police, and representatives from the City of Aurora.
Aurora Fire Department