Memorial benches honor fallen firefighters

Two benches now sit as a reminder of the sacrifice and service of Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Battalion Chief John Morrison after being installed by the 2026 Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class on Friday.

Harwood and Morrison died in an ambush on Canfield Mountain on June 29, 2025.  

"We hope these benches leave a lasting and forever impact in recognizing the ultimate sacrifice these two first responders made while serving and protecting their community," said Robert Davies, vice president of the 2026 Leadership Coeur d'Alene Class.  

Harwood's Memorial Bench was installed at the Kootenai County Fire Department Training Center on Seltice Way and Morrison's Memorial Bench was installed at the Fire Department Administration Building in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

The benches were designed, fabricated, and powder coated locally. Steve Bender and Casey Merrill of Pacific Steel; Matt Giovanelli of CDA Fabrication; Andy Sims of Andy's Heating & Cooling; and Luke Greensides of Iron Mountain Studios made contributions that made the project possible. 

"Without community involvement and business partners like these in our area, projects like this simply aren't possible," Davies said. "What they offer and what they do for our community goes above and beyond just being local businesses." 

Dedication ceremonies for the benches are expected to be held soon.

    Kevin Bragg, Justin Torfin, Todd Feusier, Heath Gunns, Robert Davies, David McNeill, Todd Kroll, and Ryan Munson stand next to Battalion Chief John Morrison's Memorial Bench placed in front of the Fire Department Administration Building in downtown Coeur d'Alene.