Firefighter Michael Ludwig

Syracuse Fire Department

Date of Death: January 14, 1971

Firefighter Michael Ludwig of Truck 6 was killed in the line of duty while operating at a three‑alarm fire at West Street and Tully Street. He was positioned in the bucket of a 1964 American LaFrance Aero Chief 90‑foot elevating platform when the apparatus suddenly tipped or the aerial boom collapsed. The failure caused fatal injuries to Firefighter Ludwig and serious injuries to two other firefighters on scene. Before joining the department, he served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.