

Ronald Warden

Appointed: July 5, 1960
Died: March 9, 1965
Badge #: 135
Badge Retired: October 8, 2011
Ronald Warden was appointed to the Dayton Fire Department on July 5, 1960.
Ron Warden was stationed at Company 6 at Third and Montgomery Streets. In addition to his firefighting duties, he was the company cook and was described by his fellow firemen as" one of the best around".
There are many traditions in the fire service. One of those is that you bring cake and ice cream to the firehouse on your birthday. Ron had just celebrated his 28th birthday on March 7th and on his next duty day treated his company as tradition requires. That day was March 9, 1965
That evening at approximately 7pm, Company 6 responded to a fire at the Ungerleider Motor Co. at 415 N. Main Street. While fighting the fire the building began to collapse. Although Ron tried to run, he was unable to outrun the falling debris trapping Ron and two other firefighters. Two of the firefighters were trapped only briefly and escaped with minor injuries. Ron was crushed by an I-beam during the collapse.
He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in DeSoto, Missouri
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