A South Dakota National Guard soldier was killed Sept. 7 while responding to a house fire in Tilford as a member of the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department.
Staff Sgt. David Fischer, 43, of Sturgis, a survey team member with the Rapid City-based 82nd Civil Support Team, was killed Friday while battling the fire with the SVFD and local first-responder agencies.
Fischer served as the SVFD assistant chief and was a 22-year member of the department.
“The South Dakota National Guard family, along with the firefighting and first-responder community, are mourning the tragic loss of Staff Sgt. David Fischer who died in the line of duty protecting his community,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, adjutant general of the SDNG. “Our thoughts and prayers are with David and his family during this difficult time.”
Fischer, a 23-year veteran of the SDNG, leaves behind a wife and six children. Fischer is an Iraq war veteran and deployed with the 216th Engineer Detachment (Firefighting Team) in 2004-2005.
“David exemplified what it means to be a soldier, firefighter and first responder – a self-less person willing to put his life in danger to help and defend his community, state and nation,” said Reisch. “He will be deeply missed.”
“Staff Sgt. Fischer was an original member of the 82nd Civil Support Team when it became a full-time unit in 2005 and instrumental in standing up the team,” said Lt. Col. Dale Gadbois, 82nd CST commander. “He was one of the finest soldiers I knew who would help anyone and everyone in times of need. From the beginning it was obvious he put his service before himself and paid the ultimate price rushing in to help the community in an emergency. It was an honor to have served with him the past 13 years.”
