Elgin Fire Department Memorial

The Courier-News recently published a touching piece about Elgin’s tribute to two firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. A solemn memorial at the Kimball Street River Walk stands as a powerful reminder of the tragic day 40 years ago when two members of the Elgin Fire Department lost their lives. On June 2, 1974, Capt. Stanley Balsis, 45, and Michael Whalen, 25, died while attempting to rescue a teenager caught in dangerous waters beneath the Kimball Street Bridge. The teen had taken a blow-up raft over the dam on a dare, and when the boat Balsis and Whalen used to save him hit a concrete wall and capsized, both firefighters were swept away by the current. Despite their heroic efforts, they couldn’t survive the relentless force of the river. The teenager was thrown from the water and survived. This past Sunday marked the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, and the Balsis family honored their father by placing a wreath in the river. Christopher McMillan, Balsis’ grandson, has met several locals who still remember the event vividly. Each of Balsis’ four children—Brad, Linda, Curt, and Sharon—keeps his memory alive by displaying his firefighting gear and photos in their homes. Patrick Crawford, who was a paramedic trainee at the time, recalls the day with startling clarity. “I can still tell you almost minute by minute what happened,” he said. He eventually left the fire department five years later to focus on his business, Elgin Medi-Transport Inc. For many, the loss remains deeply personal. Larry Judkins, a retired firefighter, is still haunted by the image of Balsis and Whalen struggling in the water. “It’s like clothes in a washing machine,” he said. Though he often wonders what he could have done differently, he knows no action would have changed the outcome. “Respect the river,” he said. “It’s not something to take lightly.” The memorial, located between stone columns adorned with bronze fire helmets, features headshots of Balsis and Whalen in their formal uniforms. It also tells the story of their final call—a moment of bravery that cost them their lives. This monument serves as a daily reminder of the sacrifice these two heroes made in service to their community. Thanks, Dan.

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