By Bill Carey
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The week of 3 May 2026 ended with more on-duty death notifications from the United States Fire Administration (USFA) as they catch up on firefighter fatalities reported during the partial government shutdown that affected the Department of Homeland Security.
I first posted these as they were reported in the news and as well as an earlier USFA update. The USFA’s current total is 11, but more are expected. To date, there is only one traumatic, interior line-of-duty death, Chicago Firefighter Mike Altman.
27 February, Louisiana
Deputy Fire Chief Scott Durfee of Caddo Parish Fire District 1 went home after falling ill while participating in a training drill at his station. Within an hour, Deputy Fire Chief Durfee went back to the station because he was feeling worse. Tests indicated that Deputy Fire Chief Durfee was experiencing a cardiovascular event, and he was transported to a local hospital. While at the hospital, he went into cardiac arrest. Medical personnel were able to revive Deputy Fire Chief Durfee, but despite these efforts, he passed away on 2 March.
Durfee’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and a Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
His activity type is Training.
19 April, Kansas
Ford County Fire & EMS Firefighter/Paramedic William Cory Price suffered a medical emergency while on duty. Firefighter/Paramedic Price was transported to a local hospital and later transported to a higher-level care hospital, where, despite all efforts, he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
His activity type is In-Station Duties.
20 March, Oklahoma
Goldsby Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Bryan Jenkins was responding to a structure fire as the driver of a tanker truck carrying 3,000 gallons of water. While in route, the vehicle went off the roadway to the right. It then re-entered the roadway, crossed to the left, struck a tree, rolled over, and struck two more trees before coming to a rest. Firefighter Jenkins suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Another firefighter with the Goldsby Volunteer Fire Department who was a passenger in the vehicle, Firefighter Todd Pendleton, also suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Jenkins’ and Pendleton’s cause and nature of death are Vehicle Collision and a Trauma.
Jenkins’ activity type is Driving/Operating Vehicle/Apparatus. Pendleton’s activity type is Riding Vehicle/Apparatus.
23 March, North Carolina
Reems Creek Fire Chief Christopher Dorsey went home after completing a 24-hour shift, which included a search and rescue call that concluded at 2:50 p.m. The following day, Chief Dorsey did not report for his shift that started at 6:30 a.m. Chief Dorsey’s son went to check on him at his home and found him unresponsive. Despite having received lifesaving measures, Chief Dorsey was pronounced deceased at his home at approximately 7:30 a.m.
Dorsey’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and a Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
His activity type is Search and Rescue.
30 April, Michigan
Walker Fire Chief Russell “Rusty” Shoultz participated in fire department aerial operations training which ended at approximately 4:30 p.m. Early the next morning and within 24 hours of the training, Fire Chief Shoultz suffered a cardiovascular event at his home. He was transported to a local hospital where, despite all efforts, he was pronounced deceased.
Shoultz’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and a Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
His activity type is Advancing Hoselines/Fire Attack. His duty type is Training.
Photograph courtesy of the author.
Data Not Drama 