In Memory of
Lieutenant Brenda Cowan

On February 13th, 2004 Lieutenant Brenda Cowan of Engine 18 was gunned down by a hidden sniper while attempting to render aid to a downed gunshot victim. Lt. Cowan had been a Lieutenant assigned to E18 for three days. Also injured in the shooting was FF/Paramedic Jim Sandford of E18 who was shot in the head. Sandford survived, as did the uninjured third crew member Firefighter Mike Souder. Both, however, retired soon thereafter. The shooter, mentally ill Patrick Hutchinson, is currently lodged in a mental hospital until such time as he is deemed fit to stand trial for his crimes.