Galesburg Reporter

Dozens of people paid their respects this week to Illinois firefighters who did not make it home at the end of their shift.

 State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) attended the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Springfield on Tuesday.

"Fallen firefighters from across the state were honored at the 29th Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighter Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony May 10 in Springfield," Tracy said on Facebook. "The Fallen Firefighter Memorial service was held at the Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the Illinois State Capitol to honor Illinois firefighters lost in the line of duty."

The senator highlighted the events on her website. Tracy said the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony and the Medal of Honor Ceremony followed the Police Officers Memorial event, which was held on May 5 at the Illinois State Library. 

"Both memorial ceremonies bring scores of officers and firefighters from across the state to honor and remember their fallen brothers and sisters," she said on the website. 

The state fire marshal presented the Death Duty Gold Badge to loved ones of fallen firefighters, according to WSIL-TV.

Chicago firefighters Michael Pickering and MaShawn Plummer, Mattoon firefighter Mehdi Mourad, and Lt. Garrett Ramos of Sterling were this year's honorees. Cicero's Lt. Brian Kuala received the Medal of Honor. 

Four life-sized figures of firefighters in full gear, a child, a ladder, and a hose make up the state's Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Springfield, according to the state fire marshal office's website. It represents firefighters in full protective clothing in action. The memorial was developed through a partnership with the state fire marshal's office, the secretary of state's office, and a nationally recognized sculptor to pay tribute to firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. The lost-wax method of bronze casting was used to create the memorial.