Fallen Baltimore City Firefighter Honored At National Memorial

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- He risked his life countless times during his 40 years as a Baltimore City Fire Department before losing his life in the line of duty nearly a year ago.

Now Lieutenant James Bethea is honored at a national fallen firefighter memorial in Colorado.

WJZ's Marcus Washington with details.

His death touched the lives of a city. Lt. James Bethea, a 40-year veteran safety officer with the Baltimore City Fire Department, was found dead in the basement after he responded to a vacant house fire.

"I'm still numb. That's why I'm able to even talk right now--because I can't express it through tears," his sister, Darlene Bethea, said.

Ten months later, Lt. Bethea joins more than 300 firefighters across the country who lost their lives in the line of duty, as their names are forever remembered at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs.

"It's a brotherhood, a sisterhood. And for us, the spouses and the family members, it just never stops. They're always there for you," one woman said.

"Even though they might have lost their loved one, today, they're still part of that fire family," one firefighter said.

This is the first ceremony at the memorial since renovations--a time to honor those who gave their lives to ensure we are safe.

The 7,000 names on the memorial date back to 1918, when the International Association of Firefighters was founded.