PG County Firefighter to Be Added to Memorial Wall

ANNAPOLIS, MD – A Prince George's County firefighter who was shot and killed by a homeowner during a medical call will be added to the Wall of Honor at this week's annual memorial service held by the Maryland Fire-Rescue Services Memorial Foundation.

The 11th annual memorial service for the state’s fire and rescue personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice is open to the public. This year, fallen hero Lt. John E. Ulmschneider, Prince George’s County firefighter and paramedic, will be honored.

Firefighter/paramedic John “Skillet” Ulmschneider, 37, died April 15, and Morningside Volunteer firefighter Kevin Swain, 19, was shot four times during a welfare check that went wrong in Temple Hills.

They responded to a call in April to check on a diabetic man who wasn’t responding to family members. But, the resident reportedly thought his home was being broken into when he shot the pair of firefighters and a relative trying to check on his welfare.

The Prince George's County Fire Department is now considering outfitting its crews with bulletproof vests.

SEE ALSO:

• Firefighter Healing from 4 Gunshot Wounds to Help Charities
• Slain Firefighter: Wife Says Daughter 'Will Know the Hero' Dad Was
• Family Prepares to Bury Firefighter; Grand Jury Subpoenas Shooter
• No Charges Filed Against Homeowner in Fatal Shooting of Maryland Firefighter: Police

“We remember our fallen each year with heavy hearts,” said Chief Gene Worthington, president of the foundation, in a news release. “It is always a sad occasion when we have to add a name to the wall, but it is important that we honor our brothers and sisters who willingly gave of themselves to help others. This wall is a promise that we place their bravery, and their families, in our hearts forever.”

The service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at the Maryland Emergency Services Memorial Park, 101 Calvert St. in Annapolis. Nationally known fire service leader and Eastport Volunteer Fire Company President Al Kirchner will serve as the memorial’s keynote speaker. A full fire department honor guard will escort the sea of blue to the ceremony and a Maryland State Police flyover is scheduled.

The Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial is a commemorative park that includes a sculpture and memorial wall listing the names of more than 400 Maryland heroes. Learn about the Fire-Rescue Services Memorial Foundation at www.mdfirerescuehero.org.

»Photo of Lt. John Ulmschneider, courtesy of Prince George's County Fire Department