State leaders gathered in Springfield on May 14 to attend the 31st Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony. 

The service and ceremony were held at the Bank of Springfield Center, brining together scores of firefighters from across Illinois to honor and remember their fallen brothers and sisters.

This occasion included a tribute to five Illinois firefighters who died in the line of duty last year: 

Chicago Firefighter/EMT Jermaine Pelt
Chicago Fire Lt. Jan Tchoryk 
Chicago Fire Lt. Kevin Ward
Chicago Firefighter/EMT Andrew “Drew” Price
And Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Larry Peasley

Another 12 firefighters from around the state were honored with medals of honor or valor for acts of outstanding bravery.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the toll on firefighters’ lives continues to rise, with 25 casualties recorded already this year in the United States. Among them was an Aurora firefighter who tragically lost their life in the line of duty just last month.