Firefighters reflect on loss, healing a year after ambush; memorial set on June 29

Though much has changed since the fatal shooting of two firefighters and a third who was seriously wounded June 29, 2025, at Canfield Mountain, Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Jon Fugitt said response has helped with healing.

“The community came out huge over the last year in support of the firefighters,” Fugitt said Thursday during a press conference.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Pete Holley said there has been a “litany” of gratitude and support shown to firefighters. 

“People stopping and saying, ‘Hey, chief. How’s everybody doing?’ Just those simple check-ins, it lets us know that the community is aware of what we’re dealing with and that they’re with us along this path,” Holley said. 

Coeur d'Alene Battalion Chief Morrison, 52, and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, were shot and killed in the ambush attack June 29, 2025. Coeur d’Alene firefighter/engineer Dave Tysdal, 47, was seriously wounded, is recovering at home and has retired.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department are planning a remembrance ceremony to honor fallen mentors, John Morrison and Frank Harwood. 

The ceremony is scheduled at 10 a.m. Monday, June 29, at the Avista Pavilion at McEuen Park.

Holley said there was no preventive training that could have changed the outcome that day, and that their mission to do what’s right for the community hasn’t changed, even though so much else has. 

“Chief Harwood and Chief Morrison and Engineer Tysdal did absolutely nothing wrong at all on June 29, 2025. Does that make us have different conversations in the firehouse? Absolutely,” Holley said. “Does it potentially look at some other options that make things safer in a world that we didn’t anticipate living in? Absolutely, but there’s no policy that's going to fix this.” 

Fugitt said the tragedy increased the need for mental health and peer support within the department.

“Firefighters see the other side of life that normal people don’t see and over time that can really pay a toll to mental health," he said.

The shootings forever changed the relationship between firefighters and the community, Holley stated.    

“We took an oath to protect the community. It was never an idea that somebody in the community would turn their back on us, so we’re in a unique spot,” he said. 

However, support has started the healing process for the fire departments. 

“We feel the love,” Holley said. “We feel the hug that surrounds us.”

    Kootenai County Fire and Rescue trucks now carry a tribute, "In loving memory of Battalion Chief Frank Harwood."