Lethbridge Fallen Fire Fighters

In our Profession we know our members are going to pay the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities. The IAFF has more than 100 members per year who lose their life protecting their communities. Here in Lethbridge we are not immune from these Line of Duty Deaths as we have at least four members of IAFF Local 237 who have paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the Citizens of Lethbridge. This page is dedicated to those four members of our Great Union.

CLIFFORD DANIEL HEATON

1911 - 1970


Cliff joined the Lethbridge Fire Department on April 29, 1942. By 1961, he had achieved the rank of Captain and in 1965 was awarded his 25 year service pin. Up to this date, he had not missed a single day of work due to illness.

On January 18, 1970 while working at a Muscular Dystrophy Christmas Tree burning, Cliff became ill and died within the hour.

DOUGLAS HENRY J. HERBERS

1951 - 2003


Doug joined the Lethbridge Fire Department on September 15, 1981. By 1989 he was promoted to the rank of senior fire fighter. Doug achieved 22 years of service with the Fire Department before passing away on September 30, 2003 after a short battle with brain cancer.

JOHN STERENBERG

1933 - 2004


John joined the Lethbridge Fire Department on November 1, 1957. By 1980, John had achieved the rank of Captain and by 1984 he was promoted to Senior Captain.

John retired in 1991 with a total of 33 years of service. On October 25, 2004, John passed away after a battle against non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

EDWARD KENNETH KURTZ

1929 - 2004


Ed Kurtz joined the Lethbridge Fire Department on May 21, 1953. Ed achieved the rank of Lieutenant in November, 1968 and then transferred to the Fire Prevention Bureau in July 1973. After 35 years of service, Ed retired on May 20, 1988.

Ed passed away on March 1, 2004 due to cancer of the colon.