IAFF LOCAL 1285 &
LAS VEGAS FIREFIGHTERS BENEFIT ASSOCIATION
Line Of Duty Deaths
In honor of our members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Thelonious Adams
Age: 54 Year of Death: 2018
Captain Thelonious “Theo” Adams of Las Vegas Fire, age 54 and 13-year veteran of the department, was paralyzed from the neck down after a fire engine responding to reports of smoke in an apartment rolled over on Halloween night in 2003. Theo Adams died May 1, 2018, from injuries he suffered in the crash. Theo was known as a competent fire captain, an extraordinary son, and father, and a reliable and compassionate friend.
Bernard "Bernie" Rhodes
Age: 62 Year of Death: 2023
Captain Bernie Rhodes, age 62, lost his battle with heart disease on October 28, 2023.
Tony Stephens
Age: 58 Year of Death: 2016
Anthony Curtis Stephens passed away Nov. 29, 2016 after a bout with cancer. In his 25 years with LVFR, Stephens served as a firefighter, paramedic and fire investigator before his retirement.
John DeLucchi
Age: 54 Year of Death: 2013
He was a member of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for 23 years as a firefighter, paramedic and engineer. He was the driver of Engine 6 for most of his engineer career.
Mark Keeton
Age: 45 Year of Death: 2007
Firefighter Mark Keeton, 45, of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue lost his battle with cancer on May 8, 2007. Mark became a member of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue on October 3, 1988, was assigned to the ladder truck at fire station nine, and was on the department for 19 years. He was born October 3, 1962, and resided in Nevada for 42 years. Prior to his time with the fire department, he was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served in the Gulf War.
Kendall Preas
Age: 60 Year of Death: 2007
Kendall Preas passed away on August 15, 2007, when he lost his battle with cancer. He was a firefighter for 22 years with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. He was born November 19, 1946, in Fresno, California, and raised in Sanger, California. Ken graduated from Sanger High School and attended Fresno State University, graduating with an agricultural degree in ornamental horticulture. He moved to Las Vegas in 1970.
He was survived by his wife Natasha Preas; daughters Melissa Fleming, Allison Marie Ocampo and Kate Provolotsky; his brothers William A. Preas of Texas, and Rhine Fred Preas; sister Kathleen M. Enos both of Las Vegas; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ronald Crews
Age: 47 Year of Death: 2003
Firefighter Ronald Crews, 47, was a 17-year veteran of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue when he succumbed to cancer on October 21, 2003. Ronald was a fire engineer at Fire Station One in downtown Las Vegas, one of the busiest fire stations in the U.S. He was honored during his years of service with an award pertaining to a rescue that he was involved in.
Before becoming a fire fighter he was a pro-football player for the Cleveland Browns after being drafted in 1980. Prior to being drafted, he played and attended UNLV and Notre Dame University. He left behind two sons and his wife of 23 years, Dora. He loved coaching his son’s little league and one year coached them to a championship.
Billie Combs
Age: 49 Year of Death: 1986
Firefighter Billie Combs, 49, of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, died July 30, 1986, after being taken to the hospital while suffering chest pains while fighting a fire at a northwest Las Vegas housing development. He had been with the Las Vegas Fire Department for more than 20 years.
LeRoy Leavitt
Age: 50 Year of Death: 1983
Battalion Chief LeRoy Leavitt, age 50, of Las Vegas lost his battle with cancer on June 1, 1983.
Harold Davenport
Age: 34 Year of Death: 1955
Firefighter Harold Davenport, 34, a member of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue was killed by accidental electrocution on December 18, 1955. He was on a ladder in the process of rescuing a cat that had been stranded on a power pole crossarm for two days at 2117 South 15th Street in Las Vegas. As Harold lifted the cat, it turned and tried to scratch him and Davenport reacted by throwing his hand back and making contact with the power line. He was survived by wife, Mary, and daughter Kathy.
