Overview
- Decker, a 61-year-old engineer with nearly 30 years at Engine 71, collapsed during a routine equipment and hose test and was pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital following the May 14 incident.
- A public visitation was held Thursday and funeral services were held Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Norwood Park, with fellow firefighters, family and residents attending the procession.
- Colleagues administered CPR at the scene and emergency vehicles escorted Decker from St. Francis Hospital to the Cook County medical examiner’s office in a solemn tribute that paused traffic and drew public honors.
- City and department officials have not released a cause of death and the Cook County medical examiner and CFD are continuing an investigation into the circumstances of the training exercise.
- Decker’s death is the Chicago Fire Department’s second recent on-duty fatality this year and the family has requested donations to the Tunnels for Towers Foundation instead of flowers.