COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Four firefighters have been nominated for the Idaho Medal of Honor following a deadly June 29 ambush that killed two battalion chiefs in Coeur d’Alene.
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, and Northern Lakes Fire District submitted the nominations Sunday to honor firefighters who responded to the incident.
The nominations include KCFR Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and CDAFD Battalion Chief John Morrison, who were killed in the line of duty. Also nominated are CDAFD Firefighter Dave Tysdal and NLFD Captain Fritz Wiedenhoff, who survived the attack.
According to the fire departments, Tysdal and Wiedenhoff prevented additional firefighters and police officers from entering the active threat area. Their actions provided law enforcement with critical information needed to establish a secure perimeter for rescue operations. Tysdal was critically injured during the incident.
The fire departments described the June 29 ambush as “a defining moment for our community and the Fire Service in Idaho.” They stated that the actions of all four firefighters “represent the highest standards of duty, courage, and commitment to others.”
The Idaho Medal of Honor Commission will make its decision on February 10, 2026. Fire department officials said they will provide additional details about memorial and recognition activities as they are confirmed.
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