Pueblo Firefighters Memorials

Two years after taking office as the first paid chief of the Pueblo Fire Department, Chief Robert J. Krague was killed when he was thrown from his horse-drawn buggy. He was 37 years old.

It was July 31, 1891, mid-afternoon. Chief Krague was making a practice run in the vicinity of Carlisle Spring (near what is now Dutch Clark Stadium). Driving westbound on Abriendo Avenue at a high rate of speed, his horse, Tom, apparently was spooked and was running out of control. Near the Abriendo bridge his buggy overturned, and Chief Krague was thrown to the ground.

According to a 15 year-old witness, Chief Krague struck his head on a rock and rolled several times. When the witness got to him, the chief was unconscious and bleeding from the ears, nose and mouth.

He was taken by a police wagon to the Sisters of Charity Hospital (St. Mary's), where he never regained consciousness. He died in the early evening with his grieving wife by his side. Quotation from The Pueblo Chieftain in the August 1, 1891 edition:

"Anyone of them (veteran and paid gathered around his deathbed) would have suffered tortures to bring him back the health and strength to the poor stricken body on the bed before them, but they were powerless to aid him, and could only wait for death to sever the brave spirit from its earthly tenement."

Chief Krague lie in state in the city council chambers until his funeral. The Richmond Hook and Ladder truck was used as the casket bearer, pulled by Tom, Krague's uninjured horse. Krague was buried at Riverview Cemetary.

On Monday, May 9, 1945, fireman Joseph F. Robida was killed in an auto accident. Riding on the back of Engine Company No. 4 with fellow fireman Joseph Ferraro, the fire truck was struck at the intersection of Mesa and Lake by a Rainbo bread delivery truck

Responding to a fire alarm at 512 Acero, the crew from the Bessemer station was traveling west on Mesa. The bread truck, driving north on Lake, made an effort to stop, but struck the rear of the fire truck, throwing firefighters Robida and Ferraro from the vehicle. Robida struck his head n the edge of the curbing, killing him instantly. The pumper travelled 172 feet after the impact.

Fireman Ferraro was thrown to the pavement, where he received four broken ribs, a fracture of the spine, a punctured lung, cuts, abrasions and other injuries. Ferraro had to retire from the Department on a full disability, after being on the Department for 8 years.

Fire engineer Frank White was drving the fire truck, with Captain Charles DiPalma riding next to him. Each also sustainedcuts and bruises, with Engineer White suffering internal injuries also. the driver of the bread truck received injuries to his legs.

The 41 year old Robida, husband and father of four, was a 10 year veteran , and the second fireman killed in the line of duty on the Pueblo Fire Department.

On Christmas Eve of 1949, the first aid squad of the Pueblo Fire Department was involved in a fatal accident at the intersection of West 9th St. and Grand Avenue. Killed was 57 year-old William A. DeLong, and 30 year veteran of the Pueblo Fire Department.

The accident occured as the first aid squad was answering a call at 1426 N. Grand. Travelling north on Grand, the first aid squad slammed into an automobile , which had proceeded through the intersection on a green light.

The high impact of the collision hurled the first aid vehicle over the top of the automobile, throwing DeLong out of the vehicle. Fire Medic Sal Pannunzio, the other occupant of the first aid vehicle, sustained only minor injuries.

The 42 year-old driver of the automobile had minor injuries. His wife sustained a fractured leg, cracked ribs and a bruised neck. The man said that when the light turned green, he proceeded through the intersection and neother saw nor heard the oncomingfirst aid unit.

William A. DeLong was survived by his wife, Thea, and their two children. Pueblo firemen G. Lowe, C.C. Wood, R.J. Stewart, A.A. Pisciotta, M. Colby, and S. Pannunzio served as pallbearers. DeLong was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Pueblo.