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Kansas City Kansas Fire Department receive 2025 Tom McGaughey Fire Service Award for Heroic Actions

Home Posted on February 05, 2026

Summary of Heroic Action:

On July 26, 2025, Firefighters Noah Gately, Christian Matos, Alicia Zamora, Tyler Williams, Tyler Nevell, and Captain Ryan West of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department exhibited extraordinary bravery and composure while responding to an active shooter incident in which a Sheriff’s Deputy was critically shot and left exposed in a highly dangerous area.

With the scene still volatile and the threat ongoing, the firefighters were made aware that the injured deputy was down and in immediate need of extraction. Recognizing the urgency and the danger, the firefighters entered the scene and assisted law enforcement officers in reaching the deputy, who had sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Working in coordination with the officers, the firefighters helped remove the deputy from the danger zone, ensuring the injured deputy could receive immediate emergency care. Despite every effort by those on scene and medical personnel, the Sheriff’s Deputy tragically succumbed to his injuries.

While the outcome was heartbreaking, the actions of Firefighters Gately, Matos, Zamora, Williams, Nevell, and Captain West were nothing short of heroic. Their willingness to put themselves at risk to assist in rescuing a critically injured fellow first responder demonstrates exceptional courage and honor.


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  1. Kansas State Fire Marshal

    800 SW Jackson Street

    Suite 104

    Topeka, KS 66612


    Phone: 785-296-3401

    Fax: 785-296-0151

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