North Egypt News

State Representative Dave Severin honored a fallen Christopher firefighter in a Facebook post announcing the renaming of a roadway for Kody M. Vanfossan. "Words can only do so much, but our actions by marking this location in Kody's name, that is really what helps to honor the sacrifice Kody made," Severin said in an August 13 Facebook post.

"I am honored to be here today to recognize Kody Vanfossan for giving his life in service to his community," said Severin, according to Facebook. "My final memory of Kody was when I saw him at the Christopher Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast when he was with his fellow firefighters. Words can only do so much, but our actions by marking this location in Kody's name, that is really what helps to honor the sacrifice Kody made. I am thankful to Senator Bryant for carrying this in the Senate, and for IDOT and local law enforcement and local fire protection districts for being here today and providing protection for today's ceremony."

A section of Highway 148 was renamed to honor Vanfossan on August 13. According to KFVS12.com, the section renamed for the fallen firefighter is at the intersection of Yellow Banks Road and Highway 148. Vanfossan’s family, including his father Brent Vanfossan, who is Christopher’s Assistant Fire Chief, attended the ceremony.

Screenshot of Rep. Dave Severin's Aug. 13 Facebook post | State Representative Dave Severin's Facebook page

"He would be happy knowing that a fallen first responder has had their recognition for the sacrifice to their community. It means a lot knowing people can drive by and see the sign and hopefully look his name up to see the sacrifice that he made – searching a building that he didn’t make it out of," Brent Vanfossan said in the KFVS12 report.

Kody M. Vanfossan was 24 when he died on May 5, 2019, as he battled a six-alarm commercial fire in Christopher, Illinois. A third-generation firefighter, Kody’s firefighting career started when he became a cadet at the age of 16, according to his obituary at Gilbert Funeral Homes. The obituary also notes that he trained and fought fires alongside his father, whom he idolized. He was born in Carbondale and left behind his fiancée Casey Garrett, young son Erik Michael VanFossan, his parents Brent and Mindy Vanfossan, as well as siblings Garrett and Paige Vanfossan, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Senator Terri Bryant also attended the dedication ceremony. "This has been a long time coming. We are setting that right today and also celebrating a life that was too short but was lived in a way of sacrifice," Bryant said in the press release on Severin’s Facebook page. "As a mother of a former firefighter and a current police officer, when that tone goes off your heart drops and you can't help but pray that the worst doesn't happen. In this case, this was a young man who answered that call and we will remember Kody as an honorable man and a man of service and sacrifice."

Severin has been a member of the Illinois General Assembly since 2016, first representing the 117th District and currently representing the 116th District. He lives with his wife in Benton and owns All-Stars-n-Stitches in Benton and Graphics Galore in Marion.