John Morrison memorial bench dedicated at Coeur d'Alene fire station

The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department is a family. 

"Just like with any family, it hurts when you lose someone," said Justin Torfin, division chief on Friday morning. "And you try and always remember them and cherish the memories as best you can. We're grateful you guys provided us with an opportunity to do that." 

About 25 people attended the dedication of a memorial bench for fallen Battalion Chief John Morrison at the fire station at Third and Foster. The project was led by the 2026 Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class. 

Morrison, 52, and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, died in an ambush on Canfield Mountain on June 29, 2025.  A memorial bench for Harwood was dedicated earlier this month at the Kootenai County Fire Department Training Center on Seltice Way. 

Robert Davies, vice president of the Leadership Class, said the bench will serve as a permanent tribute to Morrison, who served 28 years with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department. It will be a place where people can stop, reflect, remember, and recognize a life dedicated to service. 

Davies described Morrison as a leader, innovator, mentor, husband, father and friend. He said Morrison lived with humor, intelligence and dedication. 

"May this memorial bench remain here for generations as a reminder of a life well lived, a community faithfully served, and a legacy that continues through the people John influenced along the way," Davies said.

Andy Sims, owner of Andy’s Heating and Cooling, was one of several local companies that helped support the benches' creation and placement.  

Steve Bender and Casey Merrill of Pacific Steel; Matt Giovanelli of CDA Fabrication; and Luke Greensides of Iron Mountain Studios also played a major role in creating and placing the powder-coated steel benches. 

Words on the benches include, "Remember. Last Alarm, 6/29/25, Harwood & Morrison." 

David McNeill, Leadership Class 2026 member, said it was an honor to be involved in the project. 

"We thought it was one of the best ways to give back" he said.  

Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Jon Fugitt, who came on board earlier this year, said the community outpouring following the deaths of Morrison and Harwood meant the world to the department.

"The support since I've been up here has been extraordinary," he said.

Davies said Morrison understood that leadership was more than a title or a rank. It was about taking responsibility, developing others, solving problems, sharing knowledge, and "leaving the people and the organization around you better than you found them." 

"To John's family, his brothers and sisters at the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, and everyone whose life he touched, we hope this bench serves as a lasting reminder that John's service, leadership, friendship and sacrifice will never be forgotten," Davies said.

    People gather for the dedication of the John Harwood memorial bench on Saturday. Left of bench, from left, Battalion Chief Jeff Canfield, Margo Cole, Fire Chief Jon Fugitt, Division Chief Justin Torfin, Robert Davies and Matt Giovanelli. Right of bench are Chance Keyes, Sara Bennett, Natalie Grace, Keith Pitsch, Matt Logan, Roxanne Kusler, Heath Gunns, Christie Johnson, and David McNeill.
  

    Fallen Coeur d'Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison.