Fallen Black Firefighters to be Recognized at Chatham Park
In 1983, Chicago Firefighter, Sidney Brown, thought children were inside of a burning South Side home. So, he rushed in to save them but became trapped in an attic in the house at 119th and State streets.
He died.
The African-American’s heroism was not forgotten. In 1990, a park in the Chatham neighborhood was named in his honor.
On Aug. 15, Brown and other African-American city firefighters who died in the line of duty will be recognized at the park at 634 East 86th Street. The event starts at 1:30 p.m.
“Black firefighters are not really recognized for what they do,” said Carl Lewis, president of the Brown Memorial Park Advisory Board. “Sometimes you here about something happens once and you don’t hear about them again.”
The event will also kick off a fund-raiser to build a memorial at the park honoring black Chicago fighters who lost their lives while on duty, and possibility one for other black firefighter who died while working in other parts of country.
The advisory board also wants to build a $9 million field house and two-story community center in the park, which sits on about seven acres of land.
There is no estimate yet on costs for a memorial, Lewis said.
Overall, 14 black Chicago firefighters have died while working.
Brown was the first one to die in a fire. Two others died before Brown in traffic accidents, said Dekalb Walcott, a retired fire chief.
The accomplishments of black firefighters often were overlooked, Walcott said.
But black firefighters played a significant role in Chicago since their first engine company in 1872, he added.
He believes Brown is part of that proud tradition.
“He was an adventurous person,” Walcott said. “The big thing about being a fireman is you have to be an adventurous person and a caring person. Sidney was a noble individual.”
Brown, a graduate of Chicago Vocational High School, was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. He left the military as a decorated Vietnam veteran.
Brown was a member of the Chicago Fire Department for four years before he died at age 34.
Brown’ brother Irving Brown was a city firefighter, while another brother, Wayman Brown, was a Chicago Police officer.
“We all served the city,” said Irving Brown, a retired fire captain. “[Sidney] loved serving the community. He was involved in good causes. They used to call him H. Rap Brown.”
Brown said he couldn’t believe the news when he learned about his brother’s death.
“At the time this happened, my family was devastated,” Brown said. “He had heard some children were in the home and went in to get them. But he got trapped in the attic.”
Sidney Brown had three children, Ari, Michael and Sidney. He wasn’t married at the time of his death.
“Our family and community is happy about [planned memorial],” Irving Brown said.
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