Red Knights Motorcycle Club Louisiana Chapter 1
In Memoriam
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Ralph Arabie, 30-year Veteran of Gretna's Davey Crockett Fire Station, tragically lost September 29, 2008.
Sources report that while operating a bucket lift to allow an insurance adjuster to view damage caused by Hurricane Gustav, Ralph was pinned from behind as the equipment was lowered.
 
Ralph was a dedicated 30-year veteran of public service; a Firefighter/Operator with Crockett in Gretna, Fire Prevention Supervisor for the Gretna Fire Board and Gretna Police Officer. He conducted fire prevention classes for children and the elderly, and received a Medal of Valor from Fire Chief Bobby Black for outstanding service given to the City of Gretna during Hurricane Katrina. Ralph made a lifelong impression on everyone around him and will forever remain in our hearts.
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arabie the family, friends and fellow firefighters, that they will find the strength to bear the weight of thier loss, and that they will find some consolation with the support of their family and friends during this difficult time.
 
*Details pending for memorial service.
 
Red Knight member Miguel Aponte, Jr. passed suddenly on June 15, 2007.
Miguel leaves behind his wife, Carolyn, children Daniel, Charlene Aponte and Sandra (Wilson) and sister Gloria (Latour).
 
Red Knight member Jay Himbert lost to cardiac complications on August 28th, 2006.
It is with great sadness that the Red Knights LA1 mourn the loss of member Jay Himbert, who passed away as a result of ongoing cardiac complications. Jay was one of the most active members in the organization - his hand was always among the first to be raised to volunteer to help and to participate in our rides. Even from his hospital bed, Jay maintained his interest and activity in the club. His spirit will remain with us each and every mile we travel together.
 
Captain Richard McCurley, 12-year veteran of the New Orleans Fire Department, was lost in the line of duty on December 2, 2005.
Thirty-three year old NOFD Captain Richard McCurley was lost in a vehicle accident while responding in the line of duty. While severely injured at the scene, Captain McCurley was able to call in emergency medical services to treat two other firefighters and two civilians who suffered injuries in the crash. "He was an excellent young captain who did some fine rescue-work for us during Katrina," said NOFD Superintendent Charles Parent, speaking in slow measured tones. "We've always been a close-knit group here at the Fire Department, but Katrina pulled us even closer; and he and I personally had grown closer and I had great respect for him."
 
Terrytown Volunteer Firefighter Jeffrey Kraus was lost in a tragic accident on October 21, 2005.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to be used at a Firefighters Memorial in the name of Jeffrey Kraus to the Terrytown Volunteer Fire Department, 341 Heritage Avenue in Terrytown, LA 70056.
 
Captain Elliot Fredricks, 30-year veteran of the New Orleans Fire Department, was taken in a boating accident on August 22, 2004.
Please send donations to the EJ Fredericks Memorial Fund (administered by First Bank & Trust), 909 Poydras Street, Suite 100, New Orleans, LA 70112 or call 504-584-5900.
 
"Paw Paw" Ray Sandras, Vice President & Fire Prevention Chief of the Westwego Volunteer Fire Department, completes his final misison on July 12, 2004.
“Paw Paw” Ray was a well-known and respected pillar of his community. For over 50 years, Paw Paw Ray enthusiastically shared his knowledge of fire prevention and arson investigation techniques with the younger generations, sparking the imagination and interest of countless up-and-coming firefighters. His cheerful voice still resounds in the Westwego firehouses “See you in the funny papers!”
 
Chief William McCrossen, Superintendent Emeritis of the New Orleans Fire Department, answers his last call on July 11, 2004.
Chief McCrossen lived and breathed firefighting with an unwavering passion. His 51 year career included such cornerstone achievements as spearheading the fight to pass a law requiring sprinkler systems in high-rise buildings and establishing a Fire Museum to educate children about fire safety. In his 90 years, Chief McCrossen became the soul of the Department, and his spirit will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
 
Chief McCrossen's legacy is preserved in the New Orleans Fire Department Museum, 1135 Washington Avenue.
 
Ricky Mire, Assistant Fire Chief for the Kenner Fire Department, was lost in a motorcycle accident on March 17, 2004.
An accomplished 28-year veteran of the Kenner Fire Department and owner of a successful wallpapering business, Ricky’s true passions were his family and motorcycling. He was a devoted father and husband, beloved son and brother, and an inspiration to the many lives he touched.
 

We will never forget our Louisiana Firefighters
Lost in the Line of Duty...
 

Josh Alden

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 14, 1891

 

Matt Hannan

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 14, 1891

 

Harland Parker

New Orleans Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 30, 1875

 

Martin Hickey

New Orleans Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 27, 1887

 

George Wilson

New Orleans Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 27, 1887

 

Dan Holden

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 9, 1891

 

Dominick Parera

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 9, 1891

 

J.D. Nicholls

New Orleans Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 1, 1870

 

Eusebins Hauck

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 21, 1893

 

John Ross

New Orleans Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty February 22, 1859

 

Louis Cerise

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty April 2, 1895

 

Barner McKernan

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty November 10, 1900

 

Merlin Schmidt

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 28, 1913

 

Peter Conravey

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 7, 1921

 

James McDonald

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 7, 1921

 

Jesseford VanKuren

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 7, 1921

 

Charles Whitley

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 7, 1921

 

William Gruber

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 10, 1933

 

John Weiser

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 10, 1933

 

Joseph Waitz

Alexandria Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 23, 1937

 

Thomas "Babe" Wells

Alexandria Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty September 16, 1941

 

Joseph Fasentold

Alexandria Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty May 16, 1951

 

L.V. Rogers

Baton Rouge Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 16, 1952

 

Eugene Guidroz, Jr.

Houma Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty July 15, 1958

 

George Dyer, Sr.

Jefferson Parish Fire Department District 3

Lost in the Line of Duty January 14, 1962

 

Gerald Deshautel

Alexandria Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty June 3, 1962

 

Henry "Bud" Mondore, Sr.

Franklin Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty November 21, 1962

 

Larry Baldwin

Bossier Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty September 3, 1963

 

Royce Vogel

Bossier Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty September 5, 1963

 

Anthony Fiorenza

Bogalusa Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty July 8, 1968

 

Alvin Boudreaux

Marrero/Harvey Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty July 9, 1969

 

Loren Bourg, Sr.

Houma Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 24, 1970

 

William Aymami

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 25, 1971

 

George Forstal

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 25, 1971

 

Anton Puderer

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 25, 1971

 

Eldred Umbach

Jefferson Parish Fire Department District 3

Lost in the Line of Duty March 17, 1974

 

Archie VanDevelde

Alexandria Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty November 12, 1974

 

Angelo Guarino

Kenner Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty July 13, 1976

 

Albert Jenkins

Louisiana Forestry

Lost in the Line of Duty August 13, 1981

 

Harvel Dulaney

Louisiana Forestry

Lost in the Line of Duty August 30, 1981

 

Brine Manual

Olin Chemicals Fire Brigade

Lost in the Line of Duty November 21, 1982

 

Ernest Bergeron

Houma Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 28, 1983

 

Alexander Polkovich

Forest Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 31, 1984

 

Percy Johnson

Shreveport Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty September 17, 1984

 

Michael Ard

Zachary Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 23, 1984

 

Charles Croy

Slaughter Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty July 24, 1985

 

Michael Veuleman

Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty 1986

 

George Anders

Alexandria Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty July 25, 1986

 

Michael Ginart

St. Bernard Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 6, 1987

 

Harris Doucet, Sr.

Lafourche Parish Fire District 3 Galliano

Lost in the Line of Duty January 28, 1988

 

Wylie Morvant

Coteau Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty February 23, 1991

 

Johnny Lewis, Jr.

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty September 7, 1991

 

Anthony Calhoun

DeSoto Parish Fire District #8

Lost in the Line of Duty October 12, 1992

 

Ron Duhe

Reserve Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty April 15, 1995

 

Lawrence Roche

Harahan Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty August 27, 1996

 

Keith Boudoin

Jefferson Parish Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty October 13, 1996

 

Allen Martin, Jr.

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty January 10, 1997

 

George "Andy" Davis

Houma Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty November 23, 1997

 

Alan Heirtzler

Slaughter Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty September 4, 1998

 

Keith Knight

De Ridder Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty May 25, 1999

 

Elvis Maxwell

Grant Parish Fire District 5 Pollock

Lost in the Line of Duty October 7, 1999

 

H. Fred Broussard

Maurice Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty November 18, 1999

 

Paul Ezernack, Jr.

North Sabine Fire Protection District, Zwolle

Lost in the Line of Duty December 15, 1999

 

Charles Klick, Sr.

Fiske Union Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty February 23, 2000

 

Lester Shadrick

Bureau of Land Management and ERA Aviation

Lost in the Line of Duty August 13, 2000

 

Willard Paul

Plainview Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty 2001

 

Faron O'Quin

Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty March 15, 2003

 

Charles Dillon

Washington Parish Fire District #9

Lost in the Line of Duty December 3, 2003

 

Benjamin Rouchon

Bluff Creek Fire Protection Territory

Lost in the Line of Duty December 21, 2003

 

Shane Brown

DeSoto Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 24, 2003

 

Glyn Taylor

Jefferson Davis Parish Fire District #3

Lost in the Line of Duty December 29, 2003

 

Joshua Martin

Duson Volunteer Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty June 19, 2004

 

Richard McCurley

New Orleans Fire Department

Lost in the Line of Duty December 2, 2005

 

...and the American Firefighters Lost in the Line of Duty to date in 2008.
 

Remembering our protectors...
U.S. Army ~ U.S. Navy ~ U.S. Marines ~ U.S. Air Force
U.S. Coast Guard ~ U.S. National Guard and Reserve
U.S. Civilian Support Personnel
...and those who have given their lives for our freedom.

In memory of the 2,998 victims of the September 11, 2001 tragedy...
American Airlines Flight #11 and the workers in the World Trade Center's North Tower
United Airlines Flight #175 and the workers in the World Trade Center's South Tower
American Airlines Flight #77 and the workers in the Pentagon
United Airlines Flight #93 that was downed outside Shanksville, PA
...and the Firefighters, Police, EMTs and Civilian Volunteers that made the ultimate sacrifice on that day.

 May the families and friends they left behind find peace
and let their spirits be an inspiration to us all.

...WE WILL NEVER FORGET...

To find out more about the Red Knights, email us at redknightsla @ cox.net or
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