Flags lowered to half-staff in honor of 2 eastern Arizona firefighters who died on duty

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered for flags to be flown at half-staff at all Arizona government buildings on Wednesday and Thursday in honor of two fallen firefighters.

“I’m devastated by the tragic loss of Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District firefighters Brenna Kulikowski and Damon Thompson in the line of duty this week,” Hobbs said in a Wednesday announcement.

Thompson was just 15 days shy of his first year with the department, according to the district’s fire chief, Randy Chevalier.

How did the fallen firefighters die?

Kulikowski, who was 31, and Thompson, who was 21, died after a car crashed head-on into an ambulance on State Route 260 on Sunday night.

Gov. Hobbs ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on both days to ensure each individual received a full day of commemoration. On Wednesday, the flags honored Kulikowski; on Thursday, they will honor Thompson.

“We deeply appreciate their brave and selfless service to Arizonans,” Hobbs said.

Her office urged individuals, businesses and other organizations to join the tributes by lowering their own flags to half-staff.

“We mourn along with the community, and we will never forget their legacies and sacrifice,” Hobbs said.

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