Ambushed While Serving: A Tragic Day for the Firefighting Brotherhood in Coeur d’Alene

On June 29th, 2025, the unthinkable happened in the hills of Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. A wildfire response—normally a routine but dangerous task for firefighters—turned into a calculated ambush that left two veteran battalion chiefs dead and another fire engineer fighting for his life.

This wasn’t a tragic accident of nature. It was a deliberate act of violence.

The Incident: A Trap Set With Flames

At 1:21 PM, multiple firefighting agencies were dispatched to what appeared to be a brush fire on the west flank of Canfield Mountain. Crews from Coeur d’Alene Fire, Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, and Northern Lakes Fire responded with urgency, expecting to contain a fast-moving blaze threatening nearby homes.

Instead, they were met with gunfire.

Law enforcement later confirmed that the Nettleton Gulch Fire was intentionally set to lure first responders into harm’s way. As firefighters approached the scene, the shooter opened fire from a concealed position—executing a planned ambush.

 

Our Fallen Heroes

Two battalion chiefs were killed in the line of duty:

Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52

• 28-year veteran of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department
• Remembered for his mentorship, compassion, and calm under pressure

Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42

• 17-year veteran of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue
• Known for his infectious energy, dedication, and unwavering courage

Both men died before they could be evacuated from the kill zone.

Fire Engineer David “Dave” Tysdal, 47, of Coeur d’Alene Fire, was critically wounded and rushed to surgery. He remains in stable condition, surrounded by family and fellow firefighters standing vigil.

The Shooter: A Disturbing Mystery

The suspect, 20-year-old Wess Val Roley, was discovered dead several hours later from what authorities described as a self-inflicted shotgun wound. He had no significant criminal record, but lived transiently in his vehicle and had previously been contacted for trespassing and welfare checks.

Shockingly, Roley had once expressed interest in joining the fire service. Some reports suggest he may have been rejected or disillusioned, but his motive remains unclear.

Online activity revealed troubling and erratic behavior, including bizarre conspiracy-laced videos. Yet none of it fully explains why he would target firefighters—the very people he once claimed to admire.

Tactical Response: A City Under Siege

As the shooting unfolded, local and federal authorities—including SWAT, FBI, and ATF—swarmed the area. A city-wide shelter-in-place order was issued for eastern Coeur d’Alene. A no-fly zone was implemented. Air surveillance and ground teams locked down the mountain as the manhunt intensified.

Firefighting operations were halted for nearly five hours, allowing the wildfire to grow unchecked. By the time containment resumed, more than 26 acres had burned.

The shooter’s body was located near a remote position he had fortified, and authorities believe the ambush had been meticulously pre-planned.

Aftermath: A Community Mourns, a Nation Reflects

In the hours and days following the ambush, thousands gathered in mourning. Fire engines lined overpasses. Flags flew at half-staff by order of Governor Brad Little. Vigils were held across the region. Fellow firefighters stood in silent formation as the bodies of their fallen brothers were escorted home.

The IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) condemned the attack as “a heinous act of violence” and deployed national support teams to assist affected crews.

Fundraisers, memorial accounts, and tribute campaigns have since raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. But no amount of money can replace what was lost.

A Wake-Up Call to the Nation

Firefighters don’t carry guns. They carry hoses, axes, medical kits, and radios. They run toward danger—wildfires, car crashes, medical crises—not expecting to be hunted like prey.

This wasn’t just an attack on first responders. It was an attack on the values we hold sacred—service, courage, and community.

We must ask hard questions:

• How do we better protect firefighters from targeted violence?
• What warning signs are we missing in those who plan mass harm?
• Are our public safety systems prepared for deliberate ambush scenarios?

Honor. Protect. Prepare.

At AFRN, we mourn alongside the families, agencies, and city of Coeur d’Alene. We offer our full support—logistical, operational, and emotional. But we also recommit to a mission that grows more urgent each day:

Prepare every neighborhood. Protect every responder. Prevent every preventable tragedy.

We encourage our readers to:

✅ Support the verified fundraisers for the families of the fallen

✅ Advocate for responder safety legislation

✅ Stay vigilant—suspicious fires or threats should always be reported

✅ Reach out to local fire departments with messages of solidarity

In memory of Chief John Morrison and Chief Frank Harwood—your courage will never be forgotten.

To Engineer Dave Tysdal—our thoughts are with you as you heal.

AFRN stands with Coeur d’Alene.

For more on how AFRN supports fire and EMS responders nationwide, visit AFRN.org.

If you are a firefighter struggling after this incident, please reach out. You are not alone.