Our condolences to the Armstrong family and the Cincinnati Fire Department of Ohio. FireFighter Oscar Armstrong, 25, a 3 year veteran of the Cincinnati Fire Department died Friday March 21, 2003. Oscar was caught in a flashover at a morning structure fire at a two-story brick home in the Bond Hill area. Witnesses saw him crash through a first floor window on fire. His brother firefighters pulled him to safety and attempted to resuscitate him. He was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Two other firefighters were injured in the blaze. FireFighter Wylene Brown, 50, of Ladder Company 2, and FireFighter Paul Freeman, 32, of Engine 9.

     Our brother Oscar leaves behind his fiancee, who is pregnant with their third child, and his two sons, Isaiah and Oscar. A visitation for Oscar will be held Wednesday March 26, 2003 4-8PM at Zion Baptist Church in Cincinnati. A funeral will be held Thursday March 27, 2003 10AM at Saint Xavier Church in Cincinnati. Cincinnati firefighters in dress uniform are holding a round the clock watch over Oscar's body until his burial at Spring Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of Engine 9 Company and members from Oscar's graduating class of 2000.

     Brother firefighters from Columbus and Covington have volunteered to cover the Cincinnati firehouses Thursday morning so that all 780 Cincinnati firefighters can attend the funeral. Oscar's body will be be transported by Engine 9, his company's engine and the engine that carried him on his last run. Engine 9 will lead a procession of apparatus from across the country to the Bond Hill firehouse where Oscar was stationed.

A memorial fund has been established for Oscar's children and donations can be made to: Oscar Armstrong III Cincinnati Firefighter Engine 9 Memorial Fund c/o Fifth Third Bank 38 Fountain Square Plaza Cincinnati, OH 45263