Harrison Fire Department (OH) seeks to create memorial

On September 30, 1935, Harrison, Ohio, volunteer firefighter William E. Wolf responded to an alarm. Little did he know that call would cost him his life, and that more than 70 years later the Harrison Fire Department (OH) would be working to honor his memory.

Wolf entered the home of Leslie Huber at 2431 Beekman St., on the
Harrison-Lawrenceburg line near Brooks Road. He was there with other
firefighters to put out a small fire. The bedroom door to the home, however, was armed for a more unwelcome type of guest. The home had been burglarized more than 5 times within a few years, and Huber had set up a trap for the next thief. When the door opened, it pulled a wire that was attached to a sawed-off shotgun. When Wolf, doing his duty as a firefighter, entered the home, he fell victim to the trap and his left leg was shattered.

As other members of the fire department put out the fire at Huber’s home, Wolf was rushed to Christ Hospital in serious condition. In 1935, medicine wasn’t what it is today. In 3 days, Wolf died of his injuries and left behind a wife and 13 children. He was 48 years old.

Wolf’s obituary, in part, reads:

William Wolf was married in June 1903 to Ola Ehler of Logan, Ind., and the
couple were blessed with 13 children: Charles, Harry, Walter, Bernie, Clyde,
Jack, Mrs. Esther Walker, Dorothy, Frances, Verna, Pauline, Pattie and Thelma. All of these children are living today to mourn the loss of their father, and the head of the family. His service with the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department has extended over a period of 25 years. During this time Mr. Wolf has been a loyal member of the department and few indeed have been the times that have found him absent from his post when the company was called out to save life and property. He was ever willing and always to be trusted to carry out the duties assigned to him. Mr. Wolf met his death in line of duty being injured while entering a burning building. His injuries being such that he passed into the great thereafter on October 3, 1935.

Now the Harrison Fire Department is working to honor the memory of Wolf, the only member of the HFD to perish in the line of duty. HFD Lt. Dennis Helcher says plans are underway to build the memorial, which will be located in front of the fire department in Downtown Harrison on Main St. “There are three brand new flag poles in the front of the building, and the memorial will stand in the middle on a pedestal,” he says. Helcher adds that the memorial will be made of an engraved 6x2x2 black granite slab and though the flag poles are in place and the site for the granite is prepared, money needs to be raised in order topurchase the granite.

Plans to honor members of the HFD do not stop with the memorial. Helcher says honorary firefighters also will be recognized. “The plans are to honor
firefighters with 15 or more years dedicated service with engraved paver stones, which will line the walkway into the department”

The HFD needs your help to make this memorial a reality. If you would like to donate to the memorial honoring firefighter William Wolf or to the walkway honoring long-time firefighters, please contact either Lt. Dennis Helcher or Chief Hursong by calling the Harrison Fire Department at 513-367-41944 or send an e-mail to: DennisH@HarrisonOhio.com