STERLING, Ill. — Sterling Fire Capt. Garrett Ramos will be posthumously honored Tuesday, May 10 at the annual Illinois state fire marshal's Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor ceremony.
Ramos, who died Dec. 4, 2021, fighting a house fire in rural Rock Falls, will be one of four Illinois firefighters honored. His family will be presented with the Duty Death Gold Badge by Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez.
Ramos is the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the Sterling Fire Department's 150-year history.
The other three fallen firefighters to be honored are:
- Firefighter/paramedic Michael Pickering, Chicago Fire Department.
- Firefighter MaShawn Plummer, Chicago Fire Department.
- Firefighter Mehdi Mourad, Wabash Fire Protection District.
One of the four will be awarded the Medal of Honor. It is “the highest award given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism, by which the firefighter has demonstrated in a great degree the characteristics of selflessness and personal courage above and beyond the call of duty, under adverse conditions, with the possibility of extreme personal risk."
The Fallen Firefighter Memorial service starts at 10 a.m. May 10 at the Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the Illinois State Capitol. The Medal of Honor ceremony will follow at the Bank of Springfield Center.