Conley to be honored at national event

EMMITSBURG, MD. – Perhaps fitting for the Magoffin County Rescue Squad Media Auction (auction items listed on page A2), being held through Saturday this week, former Magoffin County Rescue Squad Captain Carter Conley will be honored during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, May 4 – 5, 2024.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend this weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland, honoring 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. Conley is among the 13 fallen fighters from Kentucky to be honored:

Assistant Chief Joseph Back, age 59, of the Whitesburg Fire Department, responded to an emergency medical call at a residence on 10/27/2023 where he suffered a heart attack. He was immediately treated and transported to the hospital where he remained in a coma until his death on 10/30/2023.

Fire Chief Homer “H.M.” Bottom, age 82, of the City of Russell Springs Fire Department, died on 10/16/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.

Captain Edwin “Carter” Conley, age 71, of the Magoffin County Rescue Squad, died on 9/12/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.

Firefighter Regina Huffman, age 40, of the Coon Creek Fire & Rescue, responded to an ATV accident with two people seriously injured, and helicopters were summoned for transport. As the apparatus she was riding was responding to the landing site, it slipped from the roadway. She died at the hospital on 10/28/23 due to the injuries sustained in the accident. Her oldest son, Firefighter Benjamin Barton was also in the vehicle. He had minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital.

Battalion Chief Michael “Sean” Kelly, age 48, of the Murray Fire Department, died on 2/28/2022 due to complications of COVID-19.

Firefighter Clarence Lytle, age 52, of the Georgetown Fire and Rescue, died on 6/26/23, from complications of pancreatic cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to be a line-of-duty death.

Deputy Chief Brian Morgan, age 46, of the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District, participated in mandated physical training beginning at 2:10 pm on 10/23/20. He was found deceased at home by family members at 10:00 am on 10/24/20.

Captain Bobby Mosby, age 51, of the Nelson Creek Volunteer Fire Department, responded to the Nelson Creek Volunteer Fire Department to pick up the tanker to respond to a field fire on 5/25/2023. As he was leaving the station in the tanker, a firefighter on scene reported that the fire was under control and extinguished. Captain Mosby left the station and returned home. Later that night, he began experiencing chest pains. During the afternoon, collapsed into cardiac arrest, and was transported to the hospital where he passed away on 5/26/23.

Sergeant David Pawley, age 52, of the Louisville Fire Department, died on 9/2/21, due to complications of liver cancer, deemed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to be a line-of-duty death.

Sergeant Thomas Petschke, age 53, of the Ballardsville Fire & Rescue, was at the scene of a residential fire that had expanded into the woods on 11/11/23. He collapsed while battling the brush fire. He was immediately treated and transported to the local hospital where he died due to a heart attack.

Captain Ernest Rudder, age 74, of the Bush Volunteer Fire Department, died on 9/25/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.

Engineer David Studer, age 54, of the Covington Fire Department, died on 1/20/2022 due to complications of COVID-19.

Assistant Chief William “Sonny” Thompson, age 74, of the Mercer Fire Protection District, died on 8/20/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.

“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”

There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.

The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.

• The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.

Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.

There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.

The NFFF will provide live satellite feeds of both events. Technical support is being provided by VISTA Worldlink, Comcast Beltway, and INTELSAT.

Satellite coordinates can be found at live.firehero.org.

Those not attending Memorial Weekend in person can also pay tribute to this year’s honored firefighters. All can participate in Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (May 1 – 5) by lighting their homes, businesses, landmarks, or fire departments with red lights. Other ways to remember include Bells Across America, Sound the Sirens, and by signing a virtual Remembrance Banner.

In addition, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings on Sunday, May 5. The public is also encouraged to lower their American flags that day to recognize the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Edwin Carter Conley
Magoffin County Rescue Squad Captain Edwin “Carter” Conley was born in Magoffin on June 23, 1950, to Robert and Lillian Conley of Falcon, Kentucky.

Magoffin County may be considered a small eastern county of rural Kentucky to some, but to him it was home. That’s where he was raised, married a loving woman, and was a proud father to two sons and eventually a grandfather.

What made Carter extraordinary was his unwavering drive to help those in need. Devoted to the county that he loved to serve, for 47 years he responded to every rescue/emergency call that came through Magoffin County when he was able. In many cases he would not want to be away from the county but for a brief moment, to ensure he would be available to assist with any emergency that might arise. He also did this as a volunteer.

Carter graduated from the University of Kentucky with a teaching degree. He worked for several years before he took a job with forestry firefighting, and there his love of firefighting and helping others started. Prior to 1974, in Magoffin County if you wrecked your vehicle, your house caught fire outside of city limits, and any other possible emergencies, there was little to no help.

At times, help had to come from surrounding counties to render aid. Carter and a small group of concerned volunteers took it upon themselves to form the Magoffin County Rescue Squad. The organization was completely voluntary and received funding through charitable donations, grants, and a yearly local TV auction made up of local businesses donations. Carter always wanted to ensure that the Rescue Squad had working equipment, rescue tools, and gasoline for their vehicles, using the money they had raised and continuously advocating to have better equipment.

Alongside other Magoffin County citizens, Carter helped to establish a 911 system for Magoffin County. He also volunteered for many local fire departments, all while working a normal 9-5 job for the local Big Sandy development for many years. This allowed flexibility so he could respond to emergency calls, which often meant very long days. Despite these long days, Carter always found the energy to help when the call came in. Because he was such a servant of God, he was devoted to helping the injured or sick, whether that was a friend, neighbor, or passerby.

For 47 of his 71 years, his goal was to help the people of Magoffin County in their times of need. Carter always lived by the standard of a true servant. His motto was, “If you’re stuck in a car, we’ll get you out. If you’re lost, we’ll find you.”