Firefighters Killed In Tragic Shooting Return To Coeur d’Alene, Hundreds Pay Their Respects
Idaho Firefighters Return Home (X/@TrueMattEdwards) Hundreds Line The Streets On The Interstate (Provided Photo)
Heroic Fallen Firefighters Return Home To Coeur d’Alene
The two firefighters who were tragically killed in the “ambush” shooting in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho have returned home after having autopsies done at the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Members of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department appeared to privately say goodbye to their colleagues, with dozens of members heading into the medical examiner’s office and departing about 10 minutes later.
“It’s unbelievable, to see this level of support is overwhelming,” Spokane Valley Battalion Chief John Leavell said.
The firefighters were heading to Coeur d’Alene’s English Funeral Chapel with loved ones where community members gathered to pay their respects.
A Breath-Taking Procession From Spokane To Coeur d’Alene
Hundreds of first responders from agencies across the area, families and community members lined the streets on the route headed back to the Idaho town to honor Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison Tuesday.
Dozens of fire trucks, police vehicles and ambulances took to the partially blocked-off interstate while many of those standing on the overpasses held American flags.
After driving from Spokane, Washington with hundreds of people lined down the interstate, the ambulance carrying one of the firemen parked at the funeral home.
First responders carefully removed a flag-draped coffin from a Kootenai County ambulance, honoring the fallen with quiet reverence as the notes of bagpipes echoed in the background.
“Something like what happened the other day, there is no level of training to prepare for that,” Leavell said. “It gives everybody some pause. It could’ve been any one of us.”
Wearing Kootenai County Fire and Rescue shirts, citizens stifled their tears behind trembling hands, while firefighters held each other in silence.
The level of respect and honor for these brave fallen firefighters was touching and emotional. Salutes from the overpasses to the side of the road.
This Idaho community will never forget.
Coeur d’Alene procession along I-90. pic.twitter.com/1Q6GBEl0Sr— Matt Edwards (@TrueMattEdwards) July 1, 2025
RELATED: Suspected Gunman Found Dead After “Ambush” That Killed Two Firefighters In Idaho
Two Brave Heroes Forever Remembered
Authorities announced Monday that Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison were the two men killed in the horrific attack. CDAFD Engineer David Tysdal was also taken to the hospital after being shot.
Chief Harwood was 42 years old and also a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Chief Morrison was 52 years old and joined the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department in 1996.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris described the shooting as “a total ambush.” He added, “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
