Chief Ralph L. Hoppenjans

On December 22, 1990 at 5:30pm, the Ferdinand VFD responded to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, Chief Hoppenjans learned that there were two accidents , one on the East bound side and one on the West bound side. After checking the vehicle on the East bound side, Chief Hoppenjans was walking across the median to check the other vehicle when he was struck by a car that had lost control on the ice covered bridge. Chief Hoppenjans suffered severe injuries which resulted in his death approximately 14 hours after the incident.