Stephen M. Cospelich, May 19th, 2009
On Friday, April 17, 2009, companies responded to a dwelling fire on the 6300 block of Ogontz Avenue. Ladder 8 responded to this stubborn fire with Lieutenant Stephen Cospelich as the officer in charge.
Several hours after his shift, Lieutenant Cospelich was walking his dog and collapsed. He was found unconscious by a passerby who called 911.
Lieutenant Cospelich was transported to the hospital. He never regained consciousness and died on May 19, 2009.
On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers declared Lieutenant Cospelich’s death to be in the line of duty.
Lieutenant Stephen M. Cospelich died one day after voters approved a change to the Home Rule Charter of Philadelphia, to posthumously promote any Police or Fire Department member, who died in the line of duty, to the next higher rank. Lt. Cospelich is the first in the Department’s history to receive this honor. He was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Stephen M. Cospelich, May 19th, 2009
On Friday, April 17, 2009, companies responded to a dwelling fire on the 6300 block of Ogontz Avenue. Ladder 8 responded to this stubborn fire with Lieutenant Stephen Cospelich as the officer in charge.
Several hours after his shift, Lieutenant Cospelich was walking his dog and collapsed. He was found unconscious by a passerby who called 911.
Lieutenant Cospelich was transported to the hospital. He never regained consciousness and died on May 19, 2009.
On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers declared Lieutenant Cospelich’s death to be in the line of duty.
Lieutenant Stephen M. Cospelich died one day after voters approved a change to the Home Rule Charter of Philadelphia, to posthumously promote any Police or Fire Department member, who died in the line of duty, to the next higher rank. Lt. Cospelich is the first in the Department’s history to receive this honor. He was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Career History
Appointed Firefighter - October 21, 1985
Assigned Firefighter Engine 73 - January 13, 1986
Transferred Firefighter Engine 34 - August 13, 1986
Transferred Firefighter Ladder 14 - May 15, 1993
Promoted Lieutenant Ladder 23 -April 5, 1999
Transferred Lieutenant Ladder 18 - October 12, 2000
Transferred Lieutenant Ladder 14 - January 18, 2004
Transferred Lieutenant Ladder 8 - January 20, 2007