Bristol Honors Fire Police Captain Who Died in Line of Duty

More than 60 firefighters marched in procession from the Bristol Fire Company to Borough Hall on Friday evening. Led by a bagpiper, the procession stopped in rank and file, with their reverent attention facing the Julian R. Bley Sr. Memorial.

The words etched in the memorial's marble façade explain that it was made, "In memory of firefighters, police and EMS personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty so that others may live."

There are five names that have been forever memorialized:

• Police Officer Michael Murphy Sr. — Dec. 18, 1952

• Firefighter Foreman Station 51 W.L. Moore — March 21, 1915

• Firefighter Captain Station 50 Wes Evans — Dec. 4, 1975

• Firefighter Asst. Chief Station 51 Julian R. Bley —  June 8, 1984

The final name, and the reason for the public gathering, is of Bristol Fire Company Fire Police Captain David A. Wintz Sr. — May 16, 2012.

“I hope that his will be the last name on there,” Merle Winslow, Bristol Borough Emergency Manager, said in his opening address.

Local firefighters, borough and local dignitaries, as well as residents, friends and members of the Wintz family gathered for the ceremony and memorial service that would unveil Wintz’s name on the borough memorial.

Wintz, who had served s a firefighter for departments throughout the region for 50 years, responded to a three-alarm blaze at Dow Chemical’s Rohm and Haas Bristol plant, May 16, 2012. Shortly after leaving the scene, Wintz suffered a heart attack.

He was the fourth firefighter to die in the line of duty in the Bristol Fire Company’s 156-year history.

During the memorial service, keynote speakers recalled Wintz’s life and service, and included State Representative John Galloway, Bristol Borough mayor Robert Lebo, council member Robyn Trunell, a representative of Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and Bristol Fire Company chief Herb Slack.

“A firefighter who dies in the line of duty is really a significant event,” Slack said, after the memorial service. “There’s always a tremendous recognition.”

According to Slack, Wintz’s name will also be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md. in October.

During the unveiling ceremony, members of Wintz’s family gathered around the memorial. Afterward, Wintz’s sons Daniel, a firefighter for the Pasco County Fire Rescue in Florida, and David Jr., a fire fighter for the Vorhees Fire Company in New Jersey, thanked all present for attending, and stated that being part of a fire company was a joy and duty for their father.

After the memorial service, Daniel Wintz said that the wait for the borough to permanently memorialize his father has paid off.

“Today, the healing as a family can begin,” Daniel Wintz said.

Lamont Harrell, a 17-year firefighter and EMT with Bristol Consolidated, agreed that the official borough memorial ceremony was a long time coming for Wintz.

Harrell, who sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” during the ceremony, said that he and his fellow firefighters were honored to march in the procession and attend the memorial service ceremony. He said that such displays of support for any fallen firefighter and his or her family are what it means to be a part of a fire company.

“We go and support other fire departments and their families, attending funerals,” Harrell said. “But, this was special, because it was Dave.”

After the memorial service, the public was invited to attend a reception at the Bristol Borough Senior Center, located around the corner from Borough Hall. There, firefighters, friends and family continued to share stories and their experiences with Wintz.

“It’s amazing that everybody wants to honor and respect him for the services that he did, knowing that this was just a part of his life,” Sue Wintz-Griscavage, Wintz’s daughter, said. “This was his job.”

Like her brothers, Wintz-Griscavage was also encouraged by her father to be a firefighter and EMT. She has served with the Bristol Fire Company since 2010.

During the reception, she also said that waiting over a year for her father’s name to be etched in the marble memorial was worth the wait, as she knows it took many hands to make it happen.

“I feel that they did a lot of planning to make sure that everything went smooth,” Helen Wintz, Wintz’s widow, said. “It meant a lot to see, because it would have meant a lot to him. He wanted the support of the fire service and [the memorial service] really took into account his family and what he did for 50 years. I am really proud of him for being a member of this fire department.”

Those attending the reception at the senior center marveled at the sudden appearance of a rainbow as they walked into the building. It brought smiles to faces that were still wet with tears, and many remarked that the rainbow’s appearance had appropriate timing.

One of those who paused to appreciate the unexpected sight was his Wintz’s son, Daniel.

“Yep, he’s looking down on us,” Daniel Wintz said.

Firefighters in attendance were from:

• Bristol Fire Company

• Trevose Fire Company

• America Hose Hook and Ladder Company

• Bristol Consolidated Volunteer Fire Company

• Goodwill Hose Company

• Eddington Fire Company of Bensalem

• Union Fire Company of Bensalem

• Croyden Fire Company

• Newportfville fire Company

• Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company

A video montage of keynote addresses will be posted on Levittown Patch soon.