Fallen Aurora firefighter honored at state’s annual memorial ceremony
[May 14, 2025]
By Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR)
SPRINGFIELD — Fallen Aurora firefighter Cristian Medrano was honored at
the state’s 32nd annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial held outside the
Statehouse on Tuesday.
The memorial is held each May in front of the commemorative statue on
the Statehouse’s back lawn as a tribute to Illinois firefighters who
have died in the line of duty. The statue consists of four life-size
bronze firefighters in their gear, a child, a ladder, and a hose. A red
wall of bricks encircles the statue, with bronze plaques adorning the
inside of the wall that display the names of fallen Illinois
firefighters.
Medrano’s plaque joined the wall Tuesday.
Medrano was born and raised in Aurora, where he graduated from Aurora
University with his bachelor’s degree before joining the Aurora Fire
Department. In April of last year, Medrano took part in “strenuous
search and rescue exercises as part of his training at the Aurora Fire
Academy.” Less than a day later, he died after experiencing a
“cardiovascular event,” according to the U.S. Fire Administration. He
was 27 years-old.
“Firefighter Cristian Medrano is the newest name in a long line of
public servants who gave their last breath to protect our collective
safety,” Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said. “He leaves behind a memory of
selflessness and a dream of doing what’s right, no matter the cost.”
A wreath dedicated to Medrano was displayed in front of bricks
surrounding the memorial during the service.
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Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton prepares to place fallen firefighter
Cristian Medrano’s wreath inside the wall of the Fallen Firefighter
Memorial. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jade Aubrey)
“Today, I stand with you in both the joy and the sorrow,” Stratton said.
“I have joy for the life that Cristian led, for the spark of purpose he
followed when he became a firefighter. I have sorrow for what could have
been, for the love he left behind. I have joy for the dedication within
this community to ensure that no fallen hero is ever forgotten, and I
have sorrow for the simple truth that their names are now suspended in
memory.”
Following the memorial, a medal of honor ceremony was held in downtown
Springfield to recognize other Illinois first responders.
Fourteen firefighters received the Firefighter Excellence Award for
their specific acts of service on duty. Twenty-two emergency personnel
received a Certificate of Recognition for their dedication. Five
departments were awarded a Unit Citation Award for their unit’s specific
acts of service on duty.
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