By Assistant Chief Gregory Taft
September 17, 1971: A fire was reported at #6 Polo Club Circle. Engine 21, under the command Lt. Wayne Manaugh, responded. Deep heavy snow blanketed the area, and Engine 21 laid out a considerable amount of hose. After the fire was extinguished and all hose reloaded, Engine 21 returned to quarters where Lt. Manaugh appeared exhausted and short of breath. He told the crew he was going to his office to clean up and rest. Approximately an hour later, a member went to check on the Lt. and found him unresponsive on the floor. The crew began resuscitation, and he was transported to Denver General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the result of an apparent heart attack. Lt. Manaugh was 53 years old and became the 49th firefighter to die in the line of duty.
September 17, 1931: Firefighter Elmore C. Palmer, of Truck Co. 8, passed away from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. E. C. Palmer was 34 years old and became the 22nd firefighter to die in the line of duty.
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