Wheeling Pays Tribute to Fallen Firefighters

WHEELING -- The bell sitting in the lobby of WesBanco Arena tolled Friday afternoon, the sound echoing through the space, honoring the 10 firefighters throughout Wheeling's history that had died in the line of duty.

It was a solemn remembrance of their sacrifice, but there also was a sense of thankfulness that it has been three decades since the last name was added to the list.

Members of Wheeling's police and fire departments as well as city residents congregated at WesBanco Arena to pay tribute to those fallen firefighters. The first ceremony was held five years ago, always scheduled on Oct. 29, the anniversary of the last line-of-duty death in the Wheeling Fire Department.

That day in 1991, Assistant Chief Robert Foster died in the line of duty. His widow Peggy had wanted to make sure his sacrifice would not be forgotten, and this ceremony began.

"That's been our mission," Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier said. "We'll continue to have this ceremony, not just for Chief Foster, but all the other names that have paid the ultimate sacrifice over the years."

Along with Foster, other firefighters honored during the ceremony were Thomas McCue and Bartholomew Link, who died in 1868; firefighter Charles Carrell, 1869; Capt. Charles Ferguson, 1914; Engineer William M. McGee, 1920; Assistant Chief Charles "Cap" Beiswenger, 1932; Engineer Wilbert "Red" Nolan, 1955; Assistant Chief John C. Donovan Sr., 1956 and Capt. Vincent Green, 1970.

This year, late former fire chief Cliff Sligar also was honored. Sligar, who served as chief from 1971-95, died in March at age 88. His widow, Sherry, placed a wreath at the foot of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial statue in his honor at the end of Friday's ceremony.

For Blazier and the rest of the department, 10 firefighters lost in the line of duty are 10 too many, Blazier said. There is some comfort, though, that it has been 30 years since the last tragedy. He credits his staff for its training and continued vigilance in looking out for each other in the field.

"Every year that we go on that 1991 is the last (date) is a win for us and the fire service in general," Blazier said. "We're hoping that's the last entry on that plaque."