SPRINGFIELD, IL – A fallen firefighter from Christopher is one of seven fallen Illinois firefighters that will be honored for their heroic sacrifice as the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office will host the Fallen Firefighter and Medal of Honor Ceremony tomorrow (Friday) morning on the State Capitol Grounds in Springfield.

State Sen. Dale Fowler says the 24-year-old Kody Vanfossen served the Christopher Fire Department for three years. Fowler went on to say that Vanfossen’s grandfather and Christopher Mayor, Gary Bartelotti, told him Vanfossen always wanted to be a firefighter and when he was five years old, Vanfossen had a full fireman’s suit, bag and hat.

Vanfossen died while fighting a structure fire in downtown Christopher on May 5, 2019. He is survived by his fiancé Casey Garrett, 5-month-old son Erik Michael Vanfossan along with several other family members that will be presented with the Duty Death Gold Badge at this special ceremony.