Fire Fighter Deaths Cast Cloud Over Convention

Gary Henry Indianapolis, IN Local 416

August 12, 2008 -- An American fire fighter who died in Iraq and a Canadian member who died in the line of duty were recognized Tuesday by delegates at the Convention. Indianapolis, IN Local 416 member Gary Henry was killed August 3 by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. Henry was a Sergeant with the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Military Police. Toronto, ON Local 3888 member Robert Leek died August 10 of a heart attack while helping evacuate thousands of people following a propane depot explosion.

Military sources say Henry and two other Indianans were on a combat operation in southern Baghdad when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Henry and another soldier were killed. The third was severely injured.

Robert Leek Toronto, ON Local 3888

Henry was a 12-year veteran fire fighter who recently oversaw special operations rescue, specializing as a diver and a paramedic. Expressions of sympathy or condolences can be sent to Local 416 at 748 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46404-1609.

Leek, 55, was a district chief of emergency planning and a 25-year veteran of the department. He was assisting crews while they battled a seven-alarm fire at a propane plant. Leek’s colleagues found him collapsed on the street with no signs of life.

Leek was the first Toronto fire fighter to die in the line of duty since 2001.