Firefighter Francis M. Atkison

Last Call: Sun, Jun 8th, 1862

Date of Incident: Wed, May 28th, 1862

Cause of Death: Horse Drawn Vehicle (Response)

Service Time: 18 years

Age: Not Known

Incident

Documentation discovered in 1999 revealed that Francis M. Atkinson was the first member of the Louisville Fire Dept to lose his life in the line of duty.

Firefighter Atkinson was responding to a fire at 8th and Broadway on the Sim Watkins Engine Co. 5, when the steam engine overturned, trapping Atkinson under the vehicle for nearly a half hour.