POST FALLS, Idaho – Two fire departments came together in North Idaho Monday to honor and remember three firefighters, shot while responding to a fire call Sunday in Coeur d’Alene.
Investigators say Wess Roley started a fire on Canfield Mountain Sunday and shot at the firefighters who responded.
Two of those firefighters died, one survived and is being treated for his injuries.
The two men who died were both battalion chiefs in their departments.
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood has been with the department for 17 years. He’s a husband, father and a veteran.
Coeur d’Alene Fire Department lost Battalion Chief John Morrison. Morrison was 52 years old. He’s been with the department for almost 29 years.
Coeur d’Alene Fire Engineer Dave Tysdal was injured and receiving treatment in the ICU at Kootenai Health. Tysdal has also been with the department for nearly 30 years.
“Yesterday was one of the most absolute darkest days either of these organizations has ever faced,” said Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif.
At a news conference earlier Monday afternoon, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said Roley had a “discussion” with firefighters who arrived on the scene, specifically about where his vehicle was parked.
The sheriff did not say they had enough evidence to establish what motivated Roley to open fire.
A large procession of emergency vehicles carried the fallen firefighters from Coeur d’Alene to the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office Sunday night.
Firefighters from Coeur d’Alene have stood vigil at the medical examiner’s office ever since.
Another procession will bring the firefighters back to Coeur d’Alene Tuesday morning.
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue released several official ways to support the families affected.
To support the Harwood family directly https://buy.stripe.com/4gM5kCevObacfYq1zCfAc12
To make a general donation supporting all three impacted families https://buy.stripe.com/8x2cN42N65PS27A4LOfAc13
Donations can also be made in person at any First Interstate Bank branch — simply ask to contribute to the fund for the fallen firefighters.
The JW Foundation is also accepting donations and 100% of the proceeds go towards the mission of helping fallen emergency responders’ families https://www.jwmfidaho.com/donate-2/
*If you are considering a contribution to a GoFundMe account, please proceed at your own risk. KXLY.COM cannot assure that money deposited to an account will benefit the persons you desire to benefit.
This is an ongoing investigation.
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