Draper dedicates new memorial honoring 2 of its fallen firefighters

Erin Preston hugs Draper Fire Battalion Chief Kevin Holt the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony honoring her husband, fallen Draper City Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher, and fallen Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018. Matthew Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco.The night of Thatcher’s death, Holt went to Thatcher’s home and stayed with Preston until the early hours of the morning, when the coroner took Thatcher’s body away.

Erin Preston wipes a tear from her eye during the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony honoring fallen her husband, fallen Draper City Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher, and fallen Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018. Matthew Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco.

Griffin Burchett hides from a camera as he stands next to plaques honoring his father, fallen Draper City Fire Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, and fallen Draper City Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher, outside of Draper Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Matthew Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018.

Draper Fire Deputy Chief Bart Vawdrey hugs Rose Burchett after the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony honoring her son, fallen Draper Fire Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, and fallen Draper Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Matthew Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018.

A bell is rang during a ceremony for fallen Draper Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher and fallen Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack in 2018. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018. Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco.

Draper Fire Capt. Bryan Jensen salutes the flag during the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony for fallen Draper Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher and Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018. Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco.

Dominic Burchett, Unified Fire assistant chief, attends the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony honoring his brother, fallen Draper City Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, and fallen Draper Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Matthew Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018.

Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith, left, speaks at the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony for fallen Draper Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher and Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018. Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco.

Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith talks to Griffin Burchett and his mother, Heather Burchett, before the dedication of a new memorial and flag and bell-ringing ceremony honoring Griffin’s father and Heather’s husband, fallen Draper City Fire Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, and fallen Draper Fire Marshall Bryan Thatcher outside of Fire Station 21 in Draper on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Matthew Burchett died in August 2018 from injuries sustained while fighting a fire north of San Francisco. Thatcher was the department’s first fire marshal and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in June 2018.