Line of Duty Deaths Database

Richard A. Stefanakis
Name
Richard A. Stefanakis
Local
L0001, Pittsburgh
Gender
Male
Age
51
District
04
Occupation
Fire Fighter
Type of Duty
Fire Suppression
Fatal Injury Cause
Caught/Trapped - Collapsing Roof
Nature of Fatal Injury
Other/Miscellaneous - Crushed
Date of Death
3/13/2004
Year Placed On Wall
2004
Multiple Line of Duty Incident
Name
Pittsburgh, PA 3-04
City/State
Pittsburgh, PA
Date
3/13/2004
Summary
USFA Incident Summary: Members of the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau were engaged in a long-term fire fight in an historic church. The fire had been underway for hours and had reached 5 alarms.The fire was pretty much under control with most flame knocked down at around 1200hrs. Battalion Chief Brace and Firefighter Stefanakis were in the vestibule at the front of the church setting up lines to overhaul the fire. The basement was filled with burning debris as the result of collapses. Without warning, at approximately 1219hrs the church bell tower collapsed on top of the fire fighters in the vestibule. Battalion Chief Brace was covered with debris in the vestibule. Firefighter Stefanakis was pushed into the basement and buried. It took approximately 2 hours to reach Firefighter Stefanakis and 3 hours to remove Battalion Chief Brace from the debris.The cause of death for both firefighters was asphyxiation as the result of being crushed. In addition to the 2 firefighter deaths, 29 firefighters were injured.
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Website Comments
March 15, 2004

It is with deepest regret and sorrow that we have to report to you the line-of-duty deaths of Battalion Chief Charles G. Brace and Fire Fighter Richard A. Stefanakis of IAFF Local 1 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They were responding to a church fire on Saturday, March 13, 2004 when the roof and floor simultaneously collapsed during an overhaul. In addition, 29 members were injured; five of these have sustained serious injuries and are in critical condition.
The viewing for Brother Brace will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16 and 17, 2004 from 2:00 to 4:00 and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the L. Beinhauer & Son Funeral Home, 2630 West Liberty Avenue, Dormont, Pennsylvania, (412) 531-4000. Brother Brace will be interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

The viewing for Brother Stefanakis will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16 and 17, 2004 from 2:00 to 4:00 and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Kanai Funeral Home, 500 Greenfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (412) 521-1943. Brother Stefanakis will be interred at Calvary Cemetery.

The funeral mass for both brothers will be on Thursday, March 18 at 12 Noon at the Saint Paul Cathedral, 5th Avenue and Craig, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following the funeral, there will be a collation honoring Brothers Brace and Stefanakis, their families and the Pittsburgh fire fighters, hosted by the Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Union, IAFF Local 1 at the Soldiers and Sailors Hall.
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Biographical Comments
Richard was a big man, a “bull” of a man, but a quiet fellow who gave a hundred and ten percent in life and on the job. He was knowledgeable and a well-respected member of the fire service for over thirty years. He was an avid fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams and his children’s activities. He truly loved his family and loved to hunt and fish. He was looking forward to the day of his retirement.
(Submitted by the Stefanakis Family for the 2004 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial)
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