Two fallen Fresno County firefighters and one from Kern County were among 30 honored Saturday at the Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Capitol Park, the California Fire Foundation said.

Fresno Fire Captain Walter E. Sickler, 55, who died Aug. 6, 2025, after a battle with job-related cancer, was remembered for his 28 years of service and dedication to his community, according to the foundation.

Also honored were Selma Firefighter/Paramedic Chris R. Nelson, 55, who died Feb. 8, 2024, following a medical emergency from a ladder accident, and Kern County Fire Captain Michael Bruce Wells, 51, who passed Jan. 28, 2024, after battling occupational-related cancer.

Nearly 1,000 firefighters, family members, and supporters attended the ceremony, which included flyovers, a pipes and drums band, and fire crews from across California.

Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke at the event, which recognized the 30 firefighters whose names were newly inscribed on the expanded California Firefighters Memorial Wall, joining 1,563 others honored since 1850.

The ceremony marked the second phase of the Memorial Wall Expansion Project, scheduled to conclude in 2027, and included a public Memorial Recessional through Sacramento’s Capitol Park.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.