Detroit Firefighter Death: Michigan Lowers Flags to Honor Line-of-Duty Death of Patrick Trout

Michigan is honoring Detroit Firefighter Patrick "Pat" Trout, a 12-year veteran of the department, after his death earlier this year was officially ruled a line-of-duty death. Governor Whitmer's decision to lower flags statewide comes as the department continues to process a difficult year that has also seen a separate push to recognize a colleague's cancer death as duty-related.

What Happened to Patrick Trout

Trout, 47, a member of Squad 4, died at his home on January 5 after completing a 24-hour shift that had ended earlier that day. He was reportedly injured during the shift. At the time, Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms declared it a "presumed line of duty death" pending a final report from the medical examiner. That report, released in late February, officially confirmed the line-of-duty designation.

Beyond his 12 years with the Detroit Fire Department, Trout was a U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He was among the DFD members who worked around the clock during the 2025 Southwest Detroit water main break, rescuing residents from their homes. Colleagues at Squad 4 remembered him for his daily gestures of warmth toward the team. He is survived by his wife, Shannon, and son, Jackson.

Statements From Detroit and Lansing

"Firefighter Patrick Trout dedicated his life to serving others, and he represented the very best of the Detroit Fire Department," Commissioner Simms said. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Whitmer for honoring Patrick's life and service by lowering the flags to half-staff."

The Detroit Firefighters Association, Local 344, had pushed for the line-of-duty designation from the outset. "It's with a heavy heart that the Detroit Firefighters Association is mourning the Line of Duty Death of SFF Patrick Trout," union president Thomas Gehart said following Trout's funeral in January, noting the designation makes the family eligible for additional survivor benefits.

A Second, Unresolved Case: Dale Fahoome

Trout's honor comes as another Detroit firefighter's family is still seeking the same recognition. Dale Fahoome, a 27-year veteran of the Detroit Fire Department, died in January after a battle with stage 4 esophageal cancer. His widow, Coco Fahoome, has asked the city to recognize his death as connected to his work, citing the long-term cancer risks firefighters face on the job.

Under Michigan law, certain cancers can qualify firefighters and their families for additional benefits and support a line-of-duty designation, but esophageal cancer is not currently among the qualifying types. Detroit's Human Resources Department said it determined Fahoome's death did not meet the line-of-duty criteria after reviewing medical documentation, though further case details are limited by privacy law. The family's request remains unresolved as of this writing.

We'll continue to update this article if the city reaches a decision on the Fahoome case or shares further details on Trout's line-of-duty designation.