Crime & Safety
Fallen Bristol Firefighter Honored in Doylestown
Bristol Fire Company Fire Police Captain David Wintz, who died in the line of duty in May, was honored Sunday morning outside the county courthouse in Doylestown.
Helen Wintz closed her eyes tightly shut; tears began to stream down her face. As her eyes slowly opened, she intensely looked at her late husband's name, newly engraved into the Bucks County memorial for fallen firefighters in Doylestown.
Bristol Fire Company Fire Police Captain David Wintz died in the line of duty on May 16 after suffering a heart attack minutes after leaving the scene of the massive three-alarm chemical fire at the Dow campus.
On Sunday, the devoted father and longtime public servant was honored in the 2012 Bucks County Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
Find out what's happening in Levittownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Fire service colleagues from throughout Wintz's 50-year career attended the Sunday morning ceremony in the Bucks County Courthouse courtyard.
Local dignitaries and fire officials from throughout the county took to a podium and spoke of Wintz's service.
Find out what's happening in Levittownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After the speeches, the Bristol Borough resident's family, friends and fellow firefighters laid flowers atop the memorial that now bears his name.
Wintz is not alone on the memorial. The names of 23 Bucks County firefighters and fire police officers who have given their lives while protecting and serving others since 1915 are etched into the stone.
Three of Wintz's four children are actively involved in the fire service in the communities they live in. They attended the ceremony dressed in their respective firefighter dress uniforms.
Sunday's ceremony marked seventh time Bucks County Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service was held. The ceremony not only honors local firefighters, but those who gave their lives from around the state.
