Memorial Ceremony Honors Palatine Firefighters Killed In 1946

PALATINE, IL — On Oct. 1, 1946, two volunteer firefighters from the Palatine Fire Department were fatally injured in the line of duty while responding to a fire when their fire truck collided with a Chicago and Northwestern Railroad passenger train. The fire engine was destroyed in the collision, and the vehicle was dragged for nearly 100 feet, reported Chicago Daily Tribune at the time.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, the Palatine Fire Department will be hosting a memorial ceremony to recognize "the service and sacrifice" of Wesley Comfort, Jr. and Leonard Nebel. The memorial ceremony will be held at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial at the corner of N. Brockway Street and W. Slade Street in downtown Palatine.

Nebel died at the scene and was survived by his widow and five children. Comfort, Jr., son of the fire chief, was treated at Palatine Community Hospital until succumbing to his injuries on Oct. 5, according to the report

The Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard will step off from Fire Station 85 at 39 E. Colfax Street at approximately 8:45 a.m. and march to the Palatine Firefighters Memorial. The ceremony will begin with the arrival of the Honor Guard at around 9 a.m. and include a wreath presentation and ringing of the ceremonial fire bell. The ceremony is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.