OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington State Legislature has passed a bill to erect a memorial to firefighters who died in the line of duty. 

The bill passed unanimously by the state will now go to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to be signed into law. 

The legislation provides for the memorial to be built and maintained on the campus of the state Capitol with funds from a non-appropriated account created to accept gifts and grants.

“Honoring nearly 300 line-of-duty deaths since 1891, this memorial to all the volunteer and career firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice will resonate with families and firefighters all over our state,” said Bud Sizemore, legislative liaison for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. “Its presence on our state Capitol campus will provide visible and lasting recognition.”

Washington senator Kevin Van De Wege (D) who sponsored the bill, said support for the memorial was inspired in part by the death of a coworker a year ago, on Jan. 12, 2023.

“I know people whose names will be on the memorial, so this means a lot to me personally, but its relevance touches every community in our state,” said Van De Wege, a career-long firefighter. “It’s hard for me to think of more important or rewarding work than the public safety of my neighbors, but for too many of my colleagues that service has come at a steep price.”

For more details on the bill click here.