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Eugene Williard Blackmon, Jr.

Firefighter

Firefighter Blackmon was conducting an underwater search for two reported drowning victims in the Calumet River. While going from shore to a boat he lost his grip on a flotation device and slipped under the water. He had removed his SCUBA tank prior to entering the water. Firefighter Blackmon was recovered after approximately 10-15 minutes and provided with emergency medical care. He was airlifted by Fire Department helicopter to a local hospital but was pronounced dead at the hospital. Further information related to this incident can be found in NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation 98-F-18.
photo of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Eugene Williard Blackmon, Jr. was honored on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was included in the USFA’s annual report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.

Department information

Chicago Fire Department
121 North LaSalle
City Hall-Room 105
Chicago, Illinois 60602

Chief: Fire Commissioner Edward Altman

View NIOSH Report

Age: 38
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Career
Incident date: May 19, 1998
Date of death: May 19, 1998
Cause of fatal injury: Caught or Trapped
Nature of fatal injury: Drowning
Activity type: Search and Rescue
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Non-Fire

Last updated: May 30, 2018