Ceremony To Honor Palatine Firefighters Killed In 1946

PALATINE, IL — The Palatine Fire Department will be hosting a memorial ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday to recognize the service and sacrifice of Palatine volunteer Firefighters Wesley Comfort Jr. and Leonard Nebel, who died in the line of duty 74 years ago, according to a news release from the Palatine Fire Department.

The memorial ceremony will be held at the Palatine Firefighter’s Memorial at the corner of N. Brockway and W. Slade Streets in downtown Palatine, the fire department said, adding that due to the Restore Illinois Plan's Phase 4 restrictions, only those directly involved in the ceremony will be there. The village asks any members of the public to follow social distancing guidelines if they attend, according to the news release.

The fire department included the following excerpt in the news release:

"Volunteer Fire Truck Strikes Train; 1 Killed

Chicago Daily Tribune, Dated: October 2, 1946

'On October 1, 1946, two volunteer firefighters from the Palatine Fire Department were fatally injured in the line of duty while responding to a fire when their fire truck collided with a Chicago and Northwestern Railroad passenger train. The fire engine was destroyed in the collision, and the vehicle was dragged for nearly 100 feet.

Firefighter Leonard Nebel died at the scene and was survived by his widow and five children. Wesley Comfort, Jr., son of the fire chief, was treated at Palatine Community Hospital until succumbing to his injuries on October 5.'"

According to the news release, the Palatine Fire Honor Guard will step off from Station 85 at 39 E. Colfax at 8:45 a.m. and march to the Palatine Firefighters Memorial. The ceremony will begin with the arrival of the Palatine Fire Honor Guard at9 a.m. and include a wreath presentation and ringing of the ceremonial fire bell.

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The village will record the event, which will be available on the Village of Palatine Facebook page, website, and public access Channel 6 throughout October.

More: Palatine Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference

"Members of the Palatine Fire Department appreciate the public’s understanding in this ceremonial modification and encourage all to reflect on the events of that day," the fire department stated in the news release.