November 16, 2012
Flags lowered to honor firefighter
Under a proclamation signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the United States flag and the Illinois flag are to be at half-staff at all State of Illinois facilities in honor of a firefighter who died after battling a small kitchen fire in Chicago.
Flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise, Monday, Nov. 19, until sunset, Wednesday, Nov. 21, in honor of firefighter Walter Patmon Jr., of Chicago. Reports indicate Patmon, 61, went into cardiac arrest Nov. 11, while cleaning equipment at the firehouse after returning from a small kitchen fire. Patmon was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Patmon was an 18-year veteran firefighter, and worked with Engine Company 121 in the Beverly neighborhood.
Patmon’s death was nine days after the death of Capt. Herbert T. Johnson, a 33-year veteran with the Chicago Fire Department. Johnson died Nov. 2 from injuries by a flashover burst of flames while battling a fire.