Five Florida Fallen Firefighters Honored this May
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Will Honor and Remember 140 Firefighters
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) hosted the 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute honored 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees included the following Florida firefighters:
Lieutenant Andy Eyster, age 51, of the Melbourne Fire Department, died on May 10, 2024, from complications of cancer.
Lieutenant Joseph J. Geld, age 65, of the Melbourne Fire Department, died on December 23, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter/Paramedic James Nathan Leonard, age 43, of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, died on January 12, 2022, from complications of cancer.
Engineer Heath Joseph O’Shea, age 44, of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, died on April 13, 2024, from an aortic aneurysm.
Firefighter/EMT Jason C. Tucker, age 53, of Pasco County Fire Rescue, died on April 23, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There were two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend:
· The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service was held on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and was hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service took place on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and was hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
There were additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These included small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they were open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
