The annual Living Flame Memorial Service took place recently at Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets.
The event honors Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
This year’s honorees were fire Lt. Sean J. Williamson, who died in June 2022 following a building collapse at a pizza shop at 3rd Street and Indiana Avenue; Firefighter John M. Flood, who died in November 2022 of an occupational cancer; and Firefighter Jeffrey J. DiDomenico, who died in December 2022 of an occupational cancer.
A moment of silence was observed for all three. In all, 304 Philadelphia firefighters have died in the line of duty.
Williamson was a father of three and 27-year veteran who was a Marine veteran of the Gulf War. Two people have been arrested in the arson that caused his death.
Flood, who lived in Pennypack, worked at Engine 36, 7818 Frankford Ave. He was a firefighter for 28 years and a police officer for four. He was married and had one daughter.
DiDomenico worked at Engine 45 at 26th and York streets. He was an 18-year veteran, married with a daughter.
Also on hand was Marissa Fitzgerald, widow of slain Temple police officer Christopher Fitzgerald.
Among those in attendance were Mayor Jim Kenney; Local 22 firefighters and paramedics president Mike Bresnan; Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw; City Councilmen Brian O’Neill, Jim Harrity, Mark Squilla and Mike Driscoll; Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada; U.S. Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon and Dwight Evans; Municipal Court President Judge Pat Dugan; and mayoral candidate Helen Gym.
Wreaths and flowers were placed at the memorial.
Families of firefighters and police officers who died in the line of duty in past years were also invited to place flowers. Among those taking part were the families of police officers Henry Berry, Daniel Gleason, Thomas Trench, Daniel Boyle, Stephen Dmytryk, Brian Lorenzo and James O’Connor.
Families of Williamson, Flood and DiDomenico were invited afterward to lunch at Fireman’s Hall Museum. ••
