Mayor Kenney leads tribute to fallen police officers and firefighters at City’s annual Living Flame Memorial Service

The name of Firefighter Benny Hutchins added to roster of deceased on monument on day of remembrance in a place of honor.

Philadelphia, PA (Wednesday, May 2, 2019; 7 p.m.) – In a day of reflection and reverence ending with the silent release of three white doves, Mayor Jim Kenney and Managing Director Brian Abernathy joined other officials to honor more than 500 police officers and firefighters at the City of Philadelphia’s annual Living Flame Memorial Service at Franklin Square Park, Seventh and Race streets, today.

The Living Flame Memorial Service is designed to acknowledge the sacrifices and memory of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty. Since records have been kept in the Philadelphia Fire Department dating back to 1871, 295 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department have been credited with making the ultimate sacrifice in the official line of duty. Since 1828, there have been 272 recorded deaths of Philadelphia police officers who died in service.    

Mayor Kenney, Police Commissioner Richard Ross and Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel reflectively addressed a crowd including family members and colleagues of fallen Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who have died over the years while in service to the City. They placed wreaths at the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square Park. The names of deceased police officers and firefighters, who succumbed while serving the public, are inscribed on plaques on the circular three-pronged Living Flame Memorial monument in the park under gray skies.

The name of Philadelphia Firefighter Benny Hutchins, who died last June, was added to the monument at the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square Park this year, joining deceased fire and police colleagues who perished in service. He was acknowledged in respectful tributes as his name was inscribed on the roster of local deceased firefighters and police officers who are memorialized on the Living Flame Memorial in Franklin Square Park.

“Today, Firefighter Benny Hutchins joins the honor roll of our fallen Police and Fire personnel,” said Mayor Kenney. “He served our city with distinction, and it is my great honor to recognize Benny at this year’s Living Flame memorial service. Our first responders are everyday heroes who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. We are eternally grateful for their selfless service.”

Hutchins,62, died on June 27, 2018 after suffering a medical emergency during a training exercise at the Philadelphia Fire Academy in Holmesburg in Northeast Philadelphia. The 34-year department veteran and former Marine was promoted to lieutenant in 2003. He served in stations in Southwest Philadelphia, Overbrook, Lawncrest, South Philadelphia and Roxborough on Ridge Avenue at Ladder 30, his last assignment. He was elevated to the rank of captain after his death. He was raised and grew up in two neighborhoods in West and Southwest Philadelphia, attending the University City High School in West Philadelphia. His brother Maurice and nephews Eugene Luckey, Charles Allen and Christopher Hester all serve in the Philadelphia Fire Department. Capt. Hutchins was described as quiet but fun-loving.

Mayor Kenney, Managing Director Abernathy (the program’s emcee), Police Commissioner Ross and Fire Commissioner Thiel — were joined by representatives from the families and colleagues of Captain Hutchins — as well as survivors of other police and firefighters. Hutchins’ mother, Mary, and sister, Betty, placed a bouquet of flowers at the foot of the monument. Most of the families of police and fire personnel followed, lining up in a quiet procession to place flowers at the memorial on this annual day of remembrance.

The Living Flame Memorial program featured musical selections including gospel recording artist Jamayra Nunez, who performed a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. The Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums as well as the Police Department Honor Guard also performed

poignant musical tributes during the wreath-laying portion of the program and at the end, performing Echo Taps in the ceremonial “Rendering of Honors.”

Attendees from the law-enforcement community included John McNesby, President of the Fraternal Order of Police/Philadelphia Lodge (F.O.P.) #5; F.O.P. / Lodge #5 and Edward Marks, President of the Philadelphia Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 22.

Representatives laid wreaths at the monument from affiliated support Police and Fire department organizations: The Philadelphia Firefighters Union, IAFF, Local #22 Family Association; F.O.P Lodge #5; Retired Police, Fire, and Prison Guard Association; International German-American Police

Association; International Association of Black Professional Firefighters – Valiants Inc.; Philadelphia Fire Officers Union; League of Sacred Heart of Jesus; Legion of Cornelius; American Legion Police Post 937; Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 113-University of PA Police; Shomrim Society;

Polish Police Association; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Spanish American Law Enforcement Association; Spanish American Firefighters Association; Guardian Civic League Incorporated; Custodes Pacis, Lodge #2085; National Organization for Black Women in Law Enforcement; National

Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives; Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office; Philadelphia Second Alarmers Association and Red Paw Emergency Relief Team.

Also participating in the service were clergy throughout the region. Charles R. Lindsay, Philadelphia Fire Chaplain, Philadelphia Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 22, delivered the program’s Invocation and Pastor Laurence Tom, of the Chinese Christian Church & Center,

recited the “Prayer for Heroes and Families of Heroes.” Apostle Samuel Jones, Jr., of the Philadelphia Police Chaplain Program, gave the Benediction. Representatives from federal, state as well as other law-enforcement and fire-service agencies also paused and paid their respects.

Three trained white doves were released from the stage at the ceremony’s conclusion to symbolically honor the gallant fallen Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Two of the doves circled above before heading high into the overcast skies. The Living Flame Memorial Service today precedes National Police Week a national observance held later this month to memorialize those in law enforcement who gave their lives honorably to protect and serve the public. The national week was established in 1962.

Photos can be found here.