(Emmitsburg, MD) – A local name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial this weekend.
Ralph Meyer of the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Company is one of eight Indiana firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024, and will be remembered at the commemoration.
Meyer passed away at the age of 72 from a heart attack after responding to a structure fire back in December.
The memories of a total of 140 fallen firefighters from across the country will be honored at the 44th annual event, which will take place Friday and Saturday in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year and 70 firefighters who passed in previous years.
Meyer started in the fire service 58 years ago at the age of 14, and his son Steve now leads the Napoleon Fire Department as its Chief.
Ralph Meyer’s brother is Napoleon’s assistant chief, and his grandson and granddaughter also serve.
His father also made runs with the department, which means four generations of the Meyer family have been active in the fire service.
