WEITZEL, Charles C.
Chevy Chase Fire Dept. ~ Montgomery County ~ Maryland
**On the morning of September 17,1947, during rush hour traffic, Chevy Chase Fire Department’s motor pumper #3 was responding on a boiler explosion. Chief Edwin Sackett was riding right front, Private Glick on the back step, & Pvt. Charles Weitzel was driving when suddenly Pvt.Weitzel suffered a fatal heart attack.
The following narrative is Chief Sackett’s first hand detailed account of the incident. Written by Chief Sackett in long hand, it has been transcribed in its entirety, verbatim, from the 1947 Chief’s Ledger.
September 17, 1947
“While responding to a boiler explosion at number 6 East Lenox Street, Private Charles C. Weitzel who was driving motor pumper No.3 with myself on the front seat and Private Glick on the rear step. After crossing the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Rosemary Street, Private Weitzel fell over on my left shoulder. I turn to look at Private Weitzel and he was falling to the left of his seat. I noticed Private Weitzel’s face had turned an ash color and that he did not respond to me calling him. I caught him by the shirt collar and right hand and steering wheel. I also knocked his foot from the accelerator. I managed to steer the apparatus in the center of Connecticut Avenue till about Quincy or Primrose Street where I succeeded to bring the apparatus to a stop. Immediately after stopping the apparatus, I radio for Bethesda to go to the explosion and also radio for an ambulance to take care of Private Weitzel. The Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad responded and worked on Private Weitzel for about 20 minutes, using three tanks of oxygen and artificial resuscitation to no avail. He was placed in the ambulance and taken to Suburban Hospital where Private Weitzel was pronounced dead by Dr.Gierres at 9:10 a.m. due to a heart attack.” .E.J.Sackett, Chief “
Private Charles C. Weitzel’s age and number of years served are unknown at this time.
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The Line Of Duty Death of Fallen Hero Private Charles C. Weitzel , having suffered a fatal heart attack while driving motor pumper #3 ,while responding emergency conditions, during morning rush hour traffic in Chevy Chase, was indeed, tragic; and, had the potential to have been even more tragic, had it not been for the quick thinking, actions,& ability of Chief Sackett.
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On December 4,1947, the Chevy Chase Fire Board, on behalf of the citizens of Chevy Chase, presented a Proclamation & Resolution to Chief Edwin J. Sackett, extending their deepest gratitude and appreciation for his act of heroism and commendable service.
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.12 years later, on December 5, 1959, Chief Edwin J. Sackett was elevated to the rank of Fallen Hero, having been on duty when he, too, was felled by a heart attack.
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Our sincerest thanks to John Geiman,MCFRS, for his many hours of research on both Fallen Hero Weitzel & Fallen He
