EMMITSBURG, Md. — Five firefighters from Arkansas who died in the line of duty will be honored at the 34th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
They are among the 84 men and women who died in 2014 and three others who died in previous years.
During the ceremony, their names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
Captain Dennis A. Channell
Captain Channell was born in Arkadelphia on January 2, 1959. He dedicated his life to serving his community as a captain with the Poyen Fire Department. He was a second generation fireman who had served for two decades before he died in the line of duty while responding to an EMS call on February 10, 2014.
He is survived by his son, Brody Channell, who is a full-time firefighter; his daughter-in-law, Courtney Channell; and two grandchildren, Collin James and Kylee Aaron Channell. He was a devoted father and papaw. He is also survived by his brother, David Channell; sisters, Ann Crouse, Geanie Channell, and Penny (Rick) Ashley; close family friends, Stella Channell and Doyle Lishbrook; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Michael Channell, and his brother-in-law, John Wesley Crouse.
Pilot Jacob T. Harrell
Pilot Harrell was born on November 25, 1980 in North Little Rock. He was a member of the 188th Air National Guard out of Fort Smith and did three tours in Operation Freedom. He was a police officer and flew fire detection for the Arkansas Forestry Commission.
He was killed in a plane crash on January 31, 2014, while on a fire detection flight.
In addition to his parents, Jake is survived by his wife, Rev. Jaime Fish Harrell; a son, Brayden Harrell; his sister, Rev. Ashley Duff, and her husband, Rev. Ben Duff; grandmothers, Doris Wingo and Ola Mae Harrell; parents-in-law, Gary and Penny Fish; brother-in-law, Matthew Fish, and wife, Tiffany; nieces, Samantha and Alex; nephew, Lukas; and extended family members and friends.
Assistant Chief JB Hutton, Jr.
Hutton, Jr. served on the Dermott Volunteer Fire Department for 48 years. Known by many as a very caring man who loved people, he took his job seriously, making sure all of the fire engines and other equipment were always ready to go.
In January 2015, just months after his death in October 2014, he was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award for his dedication to protecting his community.
Hutton was 77-years-old when he had a heart attack and passed away in the line of duty during the second alarm of the day on October 1, 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Shelby Hutton, two sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren. His favorite hobby was working on his antique CJ-5 Jeep. He enjoyed driving his grandchildren and their dog around in it.
Chief Randall R. Pogue
Known to many as Randy, Pogue served as the Chief of the Oak Grove Fire District #25, and was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force. During his Air Force career, he received the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Good Conduct with Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster just to name a few.
He loved to serve his community, and his family said he never met a stranger.
Pogue died on February 19, 2014, from injuries sustained during a car accident while on the way to a scene.
He is survived by his wife, Veronica Villalobos-Pogue; his children, Gregory Pogue, Josephine Pogue, Randall Pogue II, and Rhonda Pogue-Smiley; his grandchildren, Robert, Davis, and Logan Smiley, and Jase Lockhart; two brothers, William “Jeff” Pogue (Elisa) of Long Island, New York, and Ray Pogue of South Carolina.
Chief Ricky L. Winkles Sr.
Winkles was born in 1960 in Trumann, Arkansas as the second of what would become five children. At the age of 26, he became a volunteer for the Trumann Fire Department, and just two years later became a full-time firefighter. After years serving his community, Winkles was named as fire chief in 2004.
It was in this role that he died on January 28, 2014, while battling a grass fire.
He was known for the love he had for his city, but even more so by the love he had for his family.
Winkles is survived by his wife, Bonnie Holt, of 33 years; his children Ricky Jr. and Jeremy; his grandchildren, Dixie, Shawn and Kain Winkles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
WREG was told thousands are expected to attend the ceremony alongside family members and friends, members of Congress, dignitaries, and administration officials.
On Saturday, October 3 starting at 5:30 p.m. CT there will be a Candlelight Service, and then on Sunday, October 4 will be the Memorial Service.
That service begins promptly at 9 a.m. CT.
Both events will be streamed live on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation website.
For more information, click here.
