Dallas Firefighters Museum

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Sorry for the late post...we've had major storms down here in Southeast Texas.

Driver Engineer David Leos LODD Covid September 2, 2021

The Dallas Firefighters Museum humbly recognizes David’s dedication to his Family, the Dallas Fire Department, and the Citizens of the Dallas Fire Department. R.I.P. Sir…….

LEOS, David "Super Dave" Leos was born on July 15, 1959, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, TX. With his loved ones by his side, David passed away peacefully on September 2, 2021, after his courageous battle with COVID-19.

Raised in Mesquite, TX he attended St Philip's Catholic School and was a 1977 graduate of Bishop Lynch High School. He also attended the University of Texas at Arlington. David joined the Dallas Fire Department on August 12, 1981. He was a 40-year veteran and served as Driver Engineer on Engine 41B in Preston Hollows of North Dallas. Also, during his career, he served as a Paramedic on the front line for 13 years.

He was Dallas Fire Rescue's first active duty Coronavirus related death. David enjoyed cooking for the Bubba's and loved those he worked with. He will be remembered as an excellent driver along with his calm, easy-going demeanor. Everyone who knows him has a "Super Dave" story that will stay with them for a lifetime.

David is survived by his loving wife Darlene Marie Leos. Their love story is amazingly beautiful and the love they shared was evident to everyone they met. Together, they were active members of Lake Pointe Church where David taught a life group class. Darlene and David spent their time traveling, dancing the night away and attending Zumba classes. Their life's passion was serving God, each other, and their family.

David is preceded in death by his father Faustino S. Leos Sr. He is survived by his mother Maria D. Leos along with brother Frosty Leos and wife Gayle; brother Victor Leos and wife Barbara; sister Mary Ann Leos; sister Linda Highwood; sister Sara Leos; brother Marc Leos and wife Linda; brother Marty Leos and wife Jeane. Sister-in-law Diane Caperton and husband Glenn. His children include sons David W. Leos and wife Karen, Joseph Leos, daughters Tiffany Johnson, Karyn Petty, Sarah Leos, Helena Leos, Liana Leos, Lauren Leos. His grandchildren include Traelyn James, Javien Johnson, Nevaeh Verrett, Caroline Leos, Connor Leos, and Rainer Goodman. As well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

David had many talents. He loved listening to music and could play a mean guitar. As a young man he even had a brief stint on the rodeo circuit as a bull rider which only lasted about 4 of the 8 seconds that were required. David found his greatest solace in the outdoors which he had astounding love for, he viewed it as an appreciation of God's glory (JOB 12:7-10). He instilled the love of hunting and fishing with his family and friends.

David loved to cook and was usually the full time cook at the Fire Station. Over the last few years and mostly for fun, he started competing in BBQ competitions as PAPA LEOS BBQ. David never met a stranger, along with his wife Darlene they would welcome anyone to their home where they would fellowship, eat, and play games. Diagnosed with Leukemia in 2014, a sickness that was meant to destroy him only made him a conqueror of life.

With Darlene by his side, David began a new journey rediscovering his faith and connection with God. He has spent the last few years as God's servant, a loving husband and father, friend, brother, and colleague. If you asked Dave "Where is Heaven?" he would reach his hand out and say, "it's right in front of you."

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 08, 2021, and Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 09, 2021, both at Lakepointe Church-White Rock. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Www.krodlememorialfoundation.org

08/27/2026

Joseph Harrison Jones
William Jesse Jones
LODD 8-27-1963

The 11:00AM shift (prior to the later 7:00 AM change) for the Engine & Truck Crews of Station 15 at Bishop & Davis in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, began like any other shift on August 27th, 1963. Little did they know that 13 hours later, a fatal event would occur that would change their lives forever.

At 12:40 AM, Fire Alarm Box 634, located at Sixth & Denver Streets, was pulled by a civilian. The Alarm Office received the alarm and alerted Stations 7, 14, & 15 to respond. This is the same compliment of companies that would respond to a one alarm structure fire call if reported by phone. However, no phone calls were ever received by the Alarm Office, and for only one reason.....

Engine 15 exited the station first, with Truck 15 seconds behind. Both units headed east on Davis towards Zang Boulevard. Engine 15 reached and cleared the intersection first and was crossing the next intersection of Davis & Beckley as Truck 15 began crossing Zang. An unassigned, unmarked DPD police element heading northbound code 3 on Zang with two officers on board, slammed into the passenger's side of Truck 15, ejecting Firefighter J.H. Jones, & Captain W.J. Jones to their death.

The "pulled box alarm' was determined to be maliciously false. The following are newspaper reports from the Dallas Morning News:

DALLAS MORNING NEWS, Tuesday, August 27,1963

Crash Kills 2 Firemen; Call False

By John Rutledge

Two Dallas Firemen were killed, two policemen critically injured, and two other firemen hurt at a little after 12:40 AM Tuesday when a fire truck and police car collided at high speed at Zang and Davis in Oak Cliff because of a tragic false alarm.

Dead were Fire Capt. W. J. Jones and fireman J. H. Jones. Critically hurt were patrolmen L. B. Kirkpatrick and Ray Underwood. Less seriously injured were fireman W. A. Massie and fireman W. B. Strickland Jr. All were sped to Methodist Hospital.

Fire and police investigators said the cab and trailer type ladder truck was running east on Davis to answer a pulled fire alarm box at Sixth and Denver—a false alarm turned in by a prankster. Kirkpatrick and Underwood were speeding north on Zang to intercept a wanted car chased across the Houston Street Viaduct by another police car, fellow officers believe.

Both vehicles were using sirens.

Robert Cox, 22, of 2810 Sutton told accident investigator G. N. Hoskins he watched from a filling station on a corner as the unmarked blue police car slammed into the right side of the fire engine.

He said firemen flew through the air as they were knocked from seats and running boards. The police car seemed to spin into the air, landing on two of the firemen. Both officers were pinned in the police car. The long ladder truck slammed sideways onto a gas station apron and fishtailed down the street until the driver was able to bring it to a halt more than half a block away.

DALLAS MORNING NEWS, Wednesday, August 28, 1963

FATAL ALARM

Box 634 Will Always Stir Pang. Box 634 will long be remembered by Dallas Firemen. Instead of signaling an emergency, the alarm box at East Sixth and Denver in Oak Cliff became a prankster's toy and a death trap for two members of No. 15 truck company early Tuesday.

Box 634 did as it was supposed to do when activated. It flashed an alarm on the control panel at fire headquarters. The alarm, however, was false.

As a result, Fire Capt. W. J. Jones and second driver J. H. Jones died trying to reach the box when their aerial ladder truck and a police car collided.

The prankster who triggered the box is not alone. Since 1960, firemen say, false alarms have increased by 40 percent. But Box 634 has proved to be the deadliest one—so far.

Patrolman dies:
Third Crash Victim

Two Firemen Killed Instantly as Fire Truck, Police Car Hit
Story by James Ewell

A Dallas policeman became the third victim of a prankster's false fire alarm early Tuesday when a fire truck answering the alarm and a police car slammed together as they crossed paths at Zang and Davis. Two firemen were killed instantly. The squad car driver, patrolman Ray Allen Underwood, 26, of 4620 Silver Lake Drive, died 3 ½ hours later while undergoing surgery in Methodist Hospital.

Two members of Truck Company 15, Bishop and Davis were knocked out of the 46-foot long aerial ladder truck and crushed to death under the rear wheels. They were Capt. W. J. Jones, 39, of 1720 Springlake, Mesquite, station commander, and Second Driver J. H. Jones, 37, of 3328 Seevers. They were not related.

Patrolman L. B. Kirkpatrick, 33, of 709 SE Third, Grand Prairie, the most critically injured of the crash survivors, waged a life-or-death battle in Methodist Hospital Tuesday night.

Fire officials called the police car-fire truck crash the worst involving personnel responding to an alarm in 18 years. The worst on record claimed three firemen in 1945 as they raced to a trash fire.

Police and fire officials described the tragedy as "senseless…a waste of lives." Adding to the agony was the disclosure that the police car racing to assist another squad in pursuit of a speeder, did so without proper clearance from police dispatchers.

Police said Kirkpatrick and Underwood were using an unmarked police car to carry out a special assignment in a high-burglary area of Oak Cliff. The squad car proceeded north on Zang without notifying dispatchers—apparently to intercept a speeder being chased across Houston Street Viaduct into Oak Cliff by another squad, police said.
At this time, the 5-man aerial truck company roared out of the station house on Bishop to answer a pull box alarm to the east at Denver and East Sixth. Three blocks from the station house, the fire truck, sirens wide open and warning lights flashing, entered the intersection from the west on Davis. Seconds earlier, another fire company had cleared it.

Fire, Police Widows to Receive payments

The City of Dallas made arrangements for providing some relief for the widows and children of two firemen and a policeman killed in the collision of a police car and fire truck. The relief amounts to this:

The firemen and policemen, being members of the police, firemen, and fire alarm operators' pension fund, left their widows eligible to receive one fourth of the monthly base pay of $425 (as prescribed by pension regulations) for the rest of their lives unless they remarry.

The widows also will receive half of the service pay allotted to their husbands. This will mean $1 a month for each of the number of years of service each had accumulated before death. Children of the victims under 17 will be entitled to a one fourth share of the base pay. A $5,000 insurance check also will be delivered to each of widows.

End of Dallas Morning News Reports.

A bit of irony: During the last years of the utilization of Fire Alarm Boxes in Dallas in the late 1970's, the response strategy was amended to sending (1) single Engine Company on pulled box alarms rather than a full 1 alarm assignment. The number of false calls was just too high to risk the lives of additional personnel. The exceptions to this were alarm boxes at high-risk facilities, such as hospitals and high-rise buildings.

The Dallas Firefighter's Museum humbly recognizes the sacrifice made by these two Gentlemen, and their dedication to their Family, The Dallas Fire Department, and the fine Citizens of the City of Dallas. R.I.P., you'll never be forgotten.

08/21/2026

News coverage of the Hunt Mansion...

08/21/2026

Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: Charles R. Rogers Jr. & Edward L. Metters

Charles Rogers and Edward Metters enjoyed riding the backroads of North Texas on their motorcycles when not manning the watch at Dallas Fire-Rescue’s (DFR) Far North station. The two driver-engineers had a combined 17 years of service to DFR and the citizens of Dallas. Early on the morning of Aug. 21, 1981, both firefighters would don their gear and board the rig to meet a three-alarm blaze at a 10,000 square foot residence near the intersection of Preston and Arapaho roads.

The blaze would be the final alarm for both heroes.
The fire, which took 45 firefighters more than two hours to extinguish, started accidentally in the newly constructed home of a prominent Dallas developer. Rogers and Metters were searching for occupants in the partially furnished house when a portion of the roof collapsed and blocked the route by which they had entered. It is thought that a “backdraft,” a burst of fire caused when flammable gases in the smoke ignite, also made escape impossible. Both heroes were found near a picture window in the dining area, where they apparently were attempting to escape–victims of smoke inhalation. The window, made of double-paned tempered glass, was unbreakable.

Rogers, (at left) originally from California, was a married U.S. Army Vietnam veteran with two children.

Metters was married with four children.
Since its inception, DFR has lost 70 in the line of duty. From John Clark in 1902 to William Scott Tanksley in 2014, DFR firefighters and paramedics have answered the final alarm with a long history of tradition, selflessness and sacrifice.

Dallas Fire-Rescue will hold a 2015 Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 at 5000 Dolphin Road. This every five year event will honor fallen firefighters and their families. To learn more about Dallas Fire-Rescue and review their incredible history visit: http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/.

08/21/2026

Edward L. Metters LODD
Charles R. Rogers, Jr. LODD
Date of Death 8-21-1981

Hunt Mansion Blaze
August 21st of 1981 was a dark day for the Dallas Fire Department and the crews of Station 56, as they lost two of their own.

Firefighters Charles Robert Rogers Jr., 45, and Edward Lynn Metters, 32, died inside the unoccupied house of developer Ray Hunt at 5924 Twin Coves in Far North Dallas after a portion of the roof collapsed and blocked the route by which they had entered, fire officials said.

The 3-alarm blaze caused an estimated $750,000 damage to the 2-story, 10,000 square-foot yellow brick house near the intersection of Preston and Arapaho roads.

Rogers, a 10-year veteran of the department, and Metters, a 7-year veteran, were among the first firefighters to arrive after the blaze was reported at 4:07 a.m. by a neighborhood watch group alerted by an alarm system in the house, officials said.

The two firefighters apparently were searching for occupants in the partially furnished house, officials said.

The bodies of the two men were found near a picture window in the dining area, where they apparently were attempting to escape, Richardson said. The window, made of double-paned tempered glass, was unbreakable, department spokesmen said.

Fire Chief Dodd Miller said he did not know whether the two men were cut off from their entryway by rubble from the collapsed roof or by a "backdraft," a burst of fire caused when flammable gases in the smoke ignite. Although the two men were burned, autopsies by the Dallas County medical examiner’s staff revealed the men died of smoke inhalation, a field agent said.

The two firefighters were among 45 who responded to the 3-alarm blaze, Fire Department spokeswoman Vickie Robinson said. The house was "fully involved" when firefighters arrived. The fire was extinguished at 6:18 a.m., Ms. Robinson said.

If there had been any escape from the blazing Far North Dallas home of Dallas oilman Ray Hunt, Dallas firefighters Ed Metters and Charlie Rogers would have found it. "They were absolute pros and if there had been any way out, any way at all, those two guys would have found it," said Dallas Fire Capt. Richard Beebe, commander for the 24-hour shift Metters and Rogers worked.

The flag at Station No. 56 at Belt Line and Hillcrest Road was a half-mast Friday while the firefighters reminisced about their co-workers. "They were the cream of the crop and such good men. They were excellent firefighters who always wanted to be where things were happening," Capt. Doug May said. Most of the seven years Metters spent as a Dallas firefighter were at the Far North Dallas station, Beebe said.

Rogers who had been with the department 10 years, transferred in March to the Far North Dallas station from Station No. 15 in Oak Cliff. Both firefighters had part-time jobs to help pay the bills, their co-workers said. Metters installed garage doors for Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Rogers did roofing work on weekends.

Both men were driver-engineers, a rank just below lieutenant. "That’s an indication that they’ve been in for quite a while and were good, seasoned men," Beebe said. In his off hours, Metters rode his motorcycle and is survived by his wife, Karen, and four children, co-workers said. Rogers, originally from California, also liked to ride his motorcycle. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and a grown son and daughter.

Services 2 p.m. Monday Cockrell Hill Baptist Church, 1128 Cockrell Hill Rd. Rev. Sonny Conaster officiating. Interment Laurel Land Memorial Park. LAURELLAND, S. Thornton at Laurel Land.
The Dallas Firefighter's Museum gratefully acknowledges their dedication to their families, The Dallas Fire Department, and to the Citizens of the City of Dallas. R.I.P. Gentlemen, you are missed by all........

08/21/2026

Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: Charles R. Rogers Jr. & Edward L. Metters

Charles Rogers and Edward Metters enjoyed riding the backroads of North Texas on their motorcycles when not manning the watch at Dallas Fire-Rescue’s (DFR) Far North station. The two driver-engineers had a combined 17 years of service to DFR and the citizens of Dallas.

Early on the morning of Aug. 21, 1981, both firefighters would don their gear and board the rig to meet a three-alarm blaze at a 10,000 square foot residence near the intersection of Preston and Arapaho roads.

The blaze would be the final alarm for both heroes.

The fire, which took 45 firefighters more than two hours to extinguish, started accidentally in the newly constructed home of a prominent Dallas developer. Rogers and Metters were searching for occupants in the partially furnished house when a portion of the roof collapsed and blocked the route by which they had entered. It is thought that a “backdraft,” a burst of fire caused when flammable gases in the smoke ignite, also made escape impossible. Both heroes were found near a picture window in the dining area, where they apparently were attempting to escape–victims of smoke inhalation. The window, made of double-paned tempered glass, was unbreakable.

Rogers, (at left) originally from California, was a married U.S. Army Vietnam veteran with two children.

Metters was married with four children.
Since its inception, DFR has lost 70 in the line of duty. From John Clark in 1902 to William Scott Tanksley in 2014, DFR firefighters and paramedics have answered the final alarm with a long history of tradition, selflessness and sacrifice.

Dallas Fire-Rescue will hold a 2015 Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 at 5000 Dolphin Road. This every five year event will honor fallen firefighters and their families. To learn more about Dallas Fire-Rescue and review their incredible history visit: http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/.

08/18/2026

The fire museum is accepting applications for part-time docents to assist with running the gift shop, giving tours to visitors and other miscellaneous museum related duties. Preference will be given to firefighters (active or retired) who are knowledgeable about the fire service and its history, and have good communication skills. You can apply online at https://www.dallasfiremuseum.com/employment

08/18/2026

Chief E.O. (Charlie) Jones LODD August 18, 1923

Accident: June 30, 1923
Death: August 18, 1923

The Dallas Firefighters Museum humbly recognizes his dedication to his Family, The Dallas Fire Department, and the Citizens of the City of Dallas. R.I.P. Chief….

As it was uniquely written:

CHIEF JONES SUCCOMBS TO HIS INJURIES RECEIVED AT JUNE 30 FIRE

Injuries received on June 30, while fighting a fire which destroyed the plant of the Texas Wheels & Body Co., claimed E. O. (Charlie) Jones, First Assistant Fire Chief of the Oak Cliff District. Jones died at St. Paul’s Sanitarium at 7:45 o’clock Saturday night. The death of Chief Jones is the second fatality as a result of this fire. Capt. Bert Burris was the other fireman killed. Capt. Burris was caught under a large section of the falling walls and was so badly crushed that he died shortly after being dug from beneath the debris by his comrades.

Chief Jones was almost completely buried under tons of hot brick and was crushed about the body and hips. Several ribs were also broken, and his injuries were of such nature that they would have caused the death of most men in a very short time. Jones was a man of powerful physique and strong constitution, however, and made a valiant fight for life. For several weeks, it appeared as though he would win in the battle with the grim reaper. Ten days ago, his condition took a turn for the worse, and despite the efforts of several doctors, death ended his suffering Saturday evening.

Veteran Fire Fighter

Chief Jones was one of the veteran members of the Dallas Fire Department. He became a member of the department on June 1, 1900, and worked his way through the various grades until several years ago he was named as one of the Assistant Chiefs and put in charge of the Oak Cliff district.

He was off duty on the afternoon of the fatal fire and was visiting friends at the Central station when the alarm came in for the fire at the wheel and body plant. Obeying the call of duty when the general alarm sounded, Chief Jones hurried to the scene of the fire. He took charge of a detail of Hosemen and had helped fight the fire for more than half an hour when the accident occurred that finally ended in his death.

Walls Fall Out
Jones with several other firemen were handling a hose line in between the burning building and the frame structure on the west. They were in a narrow alleyway about twelve feet wide. Without any preliminary warning, the Commerce Street front of the building crumpled and fell inward. The west wall was pushed out as though it was made of paper and tons of brick were precipitated into the narrow space where the firemen were working. Captain Burris was caught in a rear room of the frame structure, where he was fatally crushed. Jones, Alley Brantley, and Robert Stepp were unable to get out of the narrow passage before the wall fell. Brantley escaped with a minor scalp wound, but Jones and Stepp were caught in the midst of falling bricks and both were almost entirely covered by them.

Jones and Stepp were quickly dug out by willing hands. Stepp appeared at first to have been the most seriously injured and both he and Jones were hurried to the sanitarium. For several weeks it was thought that Chief Jones would recover, and very optimistic reports were given out about his condition. Complications developed, however, and ten days ago physicians attending him became worried about his co-members of Masons.

Chief Jones was a member of the Dallas Masonic Bodies and of Hella Temple Patrol. He was well known, especially in Dallas sporting circles as he was quite a wrestler and in connection with his duties as a member of the fire department, he also conducted a private gymnasium where many a boxer and wrestler who appeared in Dallas in other days did their training. Chief Jones, himself was a wrestler of considerable ability and was an advocate of strict physical training to keep the members of the fire department in fine condition for fighting fires.

Death Greatly Regretted

The death of Chief Jones called forth many expressions of regret from among members of the fire department and from people in all walks of life in Dallas, as he was one of the best liked men of the department. He had resided in Dallas for many years and numbered his friends by the thousands.

"Words are inadequate to express the sorrow I feel over the death of Chief Jones. Dallas has lost a noble son and the fire department an efficient fire fighter." Chief Thomas A. Myers said Saturday night. "To the members of the family I extend my sympathies. No blow that has befallen the department since I have been a member will be felt more than the loss of Chief Jones."

Funeral Services Tuesday

Chief Jones is survived by his widow, two brothers, A. M, Jones of Dallas, and C. H. Jones of Tulsa, Ok. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Rea of Fort Worth and Mrs. Elm Elgin of Dallas. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Pallbearers will be selected from among members of the fire department.

08/14/2026

Spoken by Kurt Krodle

It's been thirteen years and my mind still holds such vivid memories. I remember most of that day in detail, but most vivid are the faces of so many who carried us then and walk beside us now.

Friends in Amarillo who held me up when the phone rang and Amarillo firefighters who search for pilots, planes, and flight logs to find a way to get me home. A doctor, whose name I don’t remember, who welcomed me onto his plane by simply saying, "I'm so sorry, let's get you home." A dear friend and co-worker who sat beside me on that plane as we flew to Ft. Worth to embrace a new reality. A firefighter/friend, who has been like a brother, who stood beside my bride at Meacham Field until we landed. My bride, who held my hand and walked by my side as we began a journey that would lead me through my darkest days. Firefighters who led us through hidden doors into Parkland to avoid the media and their cameras.

In Parkland, we found the hallways lined with Dallas' bravest beginning a journey that they continue to walk with us. DFD Chaplains who were providing presence and care to our family - as they continue to all these years later. Cousins that raced to Parkland from their own stations who were grieving as family, but still firefighters in the midst of a grieving department. Seeing my dad who, as always, firmly stood and held us while bearing the weight of losing his own flesh and blood.

Seeing the first two of many Dallas Firefighters standing watch outside Todd’s door - they would never leave Todd's side, night or day, until we lay his body to rest 5 days later. My best friend who immediately went to Parkland to be with my family and would, literally, hold me on my feet as my eyes met reality. My cousins who sat at Todd's side because all had always seemed right when we were together in the same room.

Seeing doctors and nurses in the ER who shared in our grief as we were comforted by the fact that they had done everything possible to make things different.

So much rushes back, even after eleven years - but in those days, and these, we experienced the presence of God and the grace of Jesus lived out through people. Todd loved and genuinely cared about people and it seemed that people, pretty much all people, loved Todd. So it seems appropriate that in the midst of the worst of days that God would provide people to love us, to hold us, to cry beside us, and share the grief of a good, godly man who, in our eyes, had left this earth too soon.

To those of you who walked beside us on that day and night - thank you. Your eyes are still vivid in my memory and those memories bring joy and hope for you were the hands and feet of Jesus in our midst. So today, a day we are not fond of, we will choose joy!

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39