David Campbell Memorial Association

On June 16th, Portland Fire Captain Jim Bieker was added to the Oregon State Firefighter Memorial. Jim's death by thyroid cancer was determined to be attributable to his 38 years of service as a firefighter. Jim joins 184 other Oregon firefighters who have lost their lives in service to their communities. Portland Fire Chief Lauren Johnson was on hand to offer Jim's story to the audience. Jim's family and many others, including 3 DCMA board members, were on hand to honor Jim and two others for 2026. Thank you to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). Jim and Portland Firefighter Mark Ragan will be honored on the Portland Firefighter Memorial on Friday June 26th at Portland's annual David Campbell Memorial and Remembrance service. Rest in peace brothers.

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter/Paramedic John D. Morgan of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District in Roscoe, Illinois died on May 31, 2026. John was working is normal shift but failed to respond to the apparatus when a call for a grass fire came in. His coworkers searched the station for him and found him deceased. John was 53 years old with 25 years of service. Our condolences go out to John’s family and the members of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District. May he rest in peace.

U.S. Fire Administration website applications Contact information for the U.S. Fire Administration. Includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

The DCMA has learned that Firefighter Jeffery Lynn Derrick of the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department in Pittsburg, Texas died on February 27, 2026. On February 27th, Jeffery and his crew responded to a grass fire. In the course of the firefight, the wind shifted and pushed the fire back toward the fire crews. Jeffery tried to make his way back to the fire department apparatus but he became disoriented and overcome by the fast-moving fire. Jeffery died at the fire scene. Jeffery was 67 years old with 1 year of service. Our condolences go out to Jeffery’s family and the members of the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. May he rest in peace.

apps.usfa.fema.gov