[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S492-S493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BALTIMORE FIREFIGHTERS PAUL BUTRIM, KELSEY SADLER, AND KENNETH 
                                 LACAYO

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today is a sad day. While we gather here 
in session, a memorial service is being held to honor three Baltimore, 
MD, firefighters who gave their lives in service to their community. 
These tragedies

[[Page S493]]

are a stark reminder of the commitment and sacrifice that firefighters 
throughout our great Nation make on a daily basis serving communities 
large and small. They are truly our domestic defenders and epitomize 
their moniker of ``America's Bravest.''
  International Association of Fire Fighters--IAFF--Baltimore Fire 
Officers Local 964 Lieutenant Paul Butrim and Baltimore Firefighters 
IAFF Local 734 Acting Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler and Firefighter/
Paramedic Kenneth Lacayo died after a partial collapse trapped them in 
a burning rowhouse in west Baltimore last Monday. These fallen brothers 
and sister leave behind grieving family members, a devastated 
firefighter family, and a community in mourning. We owe them the 
deepest gratitude and respect.
  During this difficult time, I ask my Senate colleagues to hold in 
their prayers the families and friends of the victims, the members of 
the Baltimore City Fire Department, and the citizens of Baltimore. This 
tragedy affects us all. Families lost a mom, a dad, a sister, a 
brother, an aunt, an uncle, a firefighter, a friend. In the pre-dawn 
hours of Monday, January 24, 2022, Baltimore City firefighters were 
dispatched to the 200 block of South Stricker Street for a reported 
rowhouse fire. As the firefighters responded, the dispatcher relayed 
that there was a ``report of persons trapped.'' Shortly after they 
arrived at the scene, the building partially collapsed, killing 
Lieutenant Butrim, Acting Lieutenant Sadler, and Firefighter/Paramedic 
Lacayo. A fourth firefighter, Baltimore IAFF Local 734 member John 
McMaster, was transported to Shock Trauma and has since been released 
to recover from his injuries. Please keep him and his family in your 
prayers, too.
  Lieutenant Butrim was just 37, but already a 16-year veteran of the 
Baltimore City Fire Department. He was no stranger to putting himself 
in harm's way. He was called to the job in 2005 when he began his 
training as a firefighter/paramedic. Immediately after completing his 
training, he joined the Baltimore City Fire Department. He was always 
looking to improve his skills as a firefighter/paramedic, eventually 
earning the rank of lieutenant. Those who knew him say that he was not 
just an excellent firefighter; he was also an all-around good guy and 
always willing to help. Paul was a big sports fan and especially liked 
following NASCAR, baseball, and hockey. He married Rachel, his best 
friend and love of his life, in 2015. Their son, Nolan, was born in 
2016. Tragically, Nolan passed suddenly in February 2019, leaving the 
family heartbroken.
  Ms. Sadler, 33, a firefighter for 15 years, was serving as an acting 
lieutenant for the department when she was killed in the partial 
rowhouse collapse. Three days after her death, the Baltimore City Fire 
Department officially promoted Kelsey to the rank of lieutenant. 
Lieutenant Sadler began her career with the Baltimore City Fire 
Department after graduating from high school in 2006. Lieutenant Sadler 
had a big heart, a strong will, and the determination to get any task 
done. Family was her priority. Her presence in any room made everything 
better and brighter. She was an amazing wife to Brandon, an incredible 
stepmom to Mila, and the best aunt to Lily and Emmett. When it came to 
the job, she earned the respect of her colleagues doing what she did 
best. Everyone who witnessed the beauty and dedication in how she lived 
her life will remember her.
  Firefighter/Paramedic Lacayo, 30, was a native of Montgomery County, 
MD. He became a firefighter in 2012 and a paramedic in 2014, serving 
first with the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, where he received 
multiple citations for going above and beyond the call of duty. He 
joined the Baltimore Fire Department in 2014 and was assigned to Engine 
14 in August 2021. All those who knew Firefighter/Paramedic Lacayo well 
describe him as the pinnacle of what a good person should be: kind and 
humble, always putting others before himself. His exceptional skills as 
a firefighter and paramedic were matched by his bright smile and his 
unfailing good nature.
  Kurt Vonnegut said, ``I can think of no more stirring symbol of man's 
humanity to man than a fire engine.'' I agree. There are no adequate 
words to describe the pain and the severity of these losses. But today, 
this tribute remembers and celebrates their lives, memorializes their 
sacrifice, and commemorates their service. These public servants worked 
every day on the frontlines, answering the call whenever sudden danger 
occurred until the very end. On January 24, these brave men and woman 
made the ultimate sacrifice.
  Knowing what I know about these fire fighters is best described with 
words like service, sense of duty, response, commitment, courage, and 
sacrifice. And while those are strong reasons by which to live, sadly, 
in the firefighting profession, they are also the reasons by which they 
die. It is important to rejoice in the lives and contributions these 
lost souls have given, knowing that this world is a safer place because 
of the men and women across this country who continue to give their 
lives so others may live. From this moment forward, we will honor these 
three firefighters who lost their lives for their bravery and courage. 
Today, I ask that, in their honor--and for firefighters everywhere--
please help protect our firefighters in their heroic efforts to save 
lives.

                          ____________________