PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland firefighters are preparing for a special journey to Idaho for a ceremony to honor the two firefighters who were killed in an ambush attack in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
The ceremony will honor Coeur d’Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank J. Harwood. The two firefighters who were shot and killed while responding to a wildfire. A third firefighter was also shot and wounded.
The firefighters were ambushed by a man, later identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley. Investigators said firefighters had a brief interaction with Roley when they first got on scene, asking him to move his vehicle as they set up an initial fire attack, and shortly after that, Roley opened fire. Roley was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His motive remains unclear.
Forty firefighters, an honor guard, pipe and drum band, and a funeral platoon along with a fire engine will make the trip to Idaho for the memorial…