Palatine Firefighter Memorial Ceremony

On Friday, October 1, 2021, the Palatine Fire Department will be hosting a memorial ceremony to recognize the service and sacrifice of Palatine volunteer Firefighters Wesley Comfort Jr. and Leonard Nebel.

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.”

The memorial ceremony will be held at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial at the corner of N. Brockway Street and W. Slade Street in downtown Palatine. The Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard will step off from Fire Station 85 at 39 E. Colfax Street at approximately 8:45 a.m. and march to the Palatine Firefighters Memorial.  The ceremony will begin with the arrival of the Honor Guard at approximately 9:00 a.m. and include a wreath presentation and ringing of the ceremonial fire bell.  The ceremony is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.