Matthew LeTourneau

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Springfield, PA

Branch of Service: Fire and Rescue

Rank: Lieutenant

Matt LeTourneau was destined to be a firefighter. When his parents rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital for his birth in 1975, the entire hospital staff was in the parking lot for a fire drill. Since age 4, Matt had dreamed of becoming a
firefighter like his grandfather and great-grandfather. At age 16 he began volunteering with the Springfield Fire Company where he would eventually be recognized as a life member. Matt joined the Philadelphia Fire Company in 2007 serving at Ladder 77, Engine 57, Engine 43 and more recently at Engine 45. He was also a fire instructor at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center and a member of Springfield EMS. Matt was a warm-hearted friend who never wanted anyone to feel left out. His family said he loved kids and had a goofy sense of humor. He was a man who lived, ate, slept and breathed his job. Many a young firefighter in the Delaware Valley developed their passion and skills as first responders through Matt’s example and instruction. On January 6th, 2018, Philadelphia Fire Department’s Engine 45 was one of the companies that responded to a row house fire in North Philadelphia. Temperatures were below freezing and the firefighters were met by orange flames and black smoke. Matt entered the structure to fight the fire and attempt to locate a trapped resident. While on the first floor the second floor of the home collapsed which trapped Matt in the rubble. It took firefighters and paramedics 30 minutes to get him out, and he was pronounced dead later that morning. That evening hundreds of firefighters gathered in Matt’s hometown of Springfield, Pa. as his body was transported to a funeral home. Many of the firefighters standing in tribute in the freezing cold had been trained by Matt. Six days later thousands of first responders would gather at the Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul in Philadelphia to say farewell to Matt. During the service, the rector of the cathedral asked all to remember how courageously and valiantly Matt LeTourneau had acted on his final day. Matthew LeTourneau was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain at a special ceremony on January 26th.

Age: 42

Date of Death: January 06, 2018