North Idaho firefighters nominated for Medal of Honor
HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 weeks, 5 days AGO
Members of the three North Idaho fire departments met with lawmakers, including Attorney General Raul Labrador, to nominate four of their own for the Idaho Medal of Honor. Pictured from left, Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Deputy Chief Luke Pichette, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Kaipo Kuehu, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, CDAFD Firefighter Gabe Eckert, KCFR Division Chief Kevin Lawler, and Northern Lakes Fire District Captain Jarrod Pitts.
Courtesy Photo
It’s not every year that the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue or Northern Lakes Fire District submit nominations for the Idaho Medal of Honor.
But this time around, members of each department made a trip to Boise as a united front to nominate four of their own: Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood (KCFR) and John Morrison (CDAFD), CDAFD firefighter Dave Tysdal, and NLFD Capt. Fritz Wiedenhoff.
“We feel very strongly about this,” said Gabe Eckert with the Idaho Association of Local Firefighters Local 710. “We absolutely think they’re deserving of this award.”
Harwood and Morrison both lost their lives June 29, 2025, during an ambush-style shooting on Canfield Mountain.
And while Tysdal and Wiedenhoff both survived the attack, Tysdal sustained extensive injuries after being shot in the back. Both lives changed forever, Eckert said.
“(Wiedenhoff) was the one that demanded law enforcement to the scene and kept them appraised, all while he was pinned down behind a rig,” Eckert added.
A Jan. 26 press release announcing the nominations described the men's actions as “heroic and selfless.”
“(Their actions) likely saved lives and prevented further loss,” the press release read in part.
The Idaho Medal of Honor is “Idaho’s highest honor,” a first responder can receive, Eckert said.
“These nominations are offered with respect for the Commission’s process and with a simple purpose: to ensure the public record accurately reflects the sacrifice and service displayed that day,” the press release said. “June 29 was a defining moment for our community and the Fire Service in Idaho, and the actions of Harwood, Morrison, Tysdal, and Wiedenhoff represent the highest standards of duty, courage, and commitment to others.”
The applications came as the House adopted a resolution this week condemning recent acts of violence against public officials and public servants.
Rep. Monica Church, D-Boise, who authored the resolution, cited the ambush on Canfield Mountain as being among the recent acts of violence that inspired the resolution when she presented the resolution before the Idaho House State Affairs Committee.
“I hope that we can use this moment as a reminder of how our words and our actions and our legislation affect people around us,” Church said Monday. "First responders and public servants can be harmed by the words that come out of this body and from across the hall. We can change that.”
The Commission will provide additional details and updates regarding memorial and recognition activities as they are confirmed.
It will make a decision Feb. 10.
• • •
Royce McCandless contributed to this article.
ARTICLES BY HAILEY HILL
Trouette appealing town hall verdict
Seeks return of security company license
Security company owner Paul Trouette is appealing the revocation of his security agency and security agent licenses following his December conviction on two counts of battery and violations related to security agent uniform and duty requirements, all misdemeanors.
Idaho's first Crunch Fitness to open in Coeur d'Alene
Crunch Fitness is coming to Coeur d'Alene.
Valentine's preparations underway in Coeur d'Alene
With Valentine’s Day less than 48 hours away, Hansen’s Florist and Gifts was bursting with chocolates, stuffed animals, balloons, and flowers. Lots and lots of flowers.