Kansas City Firefighter’s Memory Honored Through New Scholarship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – After the tragic death of a Kansas City firefighter-paramedic on April 27, a scholarship was established to honor his sacrifice. HeroFundUSA, Inc. announced the creation of this scholarship, aimed at supporting individuals pursuing accredited firefighter or paramedic training in the Kansas City metro area.

In response to the announcement, several members of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association pledged to contribute. On Saturday, May 3, they donated 10 percent of their sales to the scholarship fund. Jason Pryor, owner of Pizza 51, expressed how this loss resonated with him, stating, “The tragedy itself hits home with my own son training to be a firefighter himself.”

Pryor continued, “I get choked up. Obviously, a sadness, a senseless tragedy, something that probably could’ve been avoided.” Upon learning about the fundraiser, he quickly became involved. “Being a part of this is just a small piece of the community puzzle. We’re just happy to be a part of it,” he added.

Participating restaurants included: Pizza 51, V’s Italiano, Em Chamas Brazilian Grill, and several others across the region. The list highlights how the community has rallied together to support the scholarship initiative.

As a tribute to the fallen firefighter, Joe Eddings, owner of E2 Embroidery and Screen Printing, created a t-shirt with the proceeds going directly to the firefighter’s family. The shirt costs $15 and aims to support those left behind after this tragic event.

Since this loss, people from across the country have shown their love and support for the family of the firefighter. This scholarship represents not just a financial aid but a commitment from the community to honor the dedicated service of first responders.