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This is a contributing entry for Charleston State Capitol Sculptures and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.
Fallen Firefighter was created by James Edward Lykins in 1994. The bronze sculpture was commissioned by the West Virginia Firemen’s Association to honor West Virginia firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The sculpture depicts a figure dressed fully in firefighting gear who holds an axe in one hand and a small child in the other. A plaque on the side of the base of the sculpture records and honors over one hundred firefighters. New names are added as occasion demands. The sculpture is also the yearly gathering place for the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association’s Memorial Ceremony. Artist James Edward Lykins is a military veteran and Purple Heart recipient who creates a variety of large and small-scale sculptures and carvings.

Fallen Firefighter.

Sculpture, Helmet, Memorial, Monument

Brinks, Travis. Another name added to WV Fallen Firefighters Memorial, MetroNews. November 3rd 2013. Accessed January 13th 2021. https://wvmetronews.com/2013/11/03/another-name-added-to-wv-fallen-firefighters-memorial/.

Lykins, James. James Lykins Sculptures, Flickr. Accessed January 13th 2021. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jameslykins/sets/72157625385635446/.

Memorial, West Virginia State Firemen's Association. Accessed January 13th 2021. http://www.wvsfa.org/category/memorial/.

West Virginia Fallen Firefighter Memorial, West Virginia Archives and History. Accessed January 13th 2021. http://www.wvculture.org/history/monuments/wvfiremem.html.

West Virginia State Capitol Sculptures, Evergreene Architectural Arts. Accessed January 13th 2021. https://evergreene.com/projects/west-virginia-state-capitol-sculptures/.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Office of Public Art, Charleston WV. Accessed January 13, 2021. https://gisweb.cityofcharleston.org/storymaps/arttour/#.