(The Center Square) – The 32nd annual Illinois Firefighter Memorial has concluded with another name added to the list of the fallen.
Members of the state’s firefighting community gathered with elected officials Tuesday at the memorial site on the grounds of the Illinois Capitol.
Father John Ouper, pastor of St. Daniel the Prophet in Wheaton, prayed the invocation and vowed to never forget those who died, their loved ones, and their communities.
“We come unified by this ultimate sacrifice of one who placed himself in danger for a greater purpose, a higher calling, a greater good,” Ouper said.
The name of Aurora firefighter recruit Cristian Medrano was added to the memorial. Medrano was 27 years old when he died in April 2024 after training exercises at the Aurora Fire Academy.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza noted that nine names were added to the state’s police memorial last week.
“While one name on the memorial is better than nine, the fact of the matter is that one name is always one too many,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza said firefighters choose to run into blazing fires instead of away from them.
“And while they wear their uniform with pride, they know that, tragically, not every hero will make it home. This wall tells that story, has those names,” Mendoza said.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said Cristian Medrano made the supreme sacrifice.
“He leaves behind a memory of selflessness and a dream of doing what’s right, no matter the cost,” Stratton said.
The annual Medal of Honor ceremony was scheduled to follow the service for fallen firefighters in Springfield.
The Illinois Firefighter Memorial is dedicated to the firefighters of Illinois who have given their lives in the line of duty and to those firefighters who heroically serve with courage, pride and honor.
