Joseph L. Wright, Jr.
Date of Birth: October 23, 1923
LODD Date of Death: February 19, 1950

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
FALLEN FIREFIGHTER

NAME: Joseph L. Wright, Jr..                                                                  AGE: 26

RANK:  Firefighter                                                                                   BADGE #: N/A

STATION:  Jessup Volunteer Fire Department, Station #29

DATE OF DEATH: February 19, 1950

CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH: Firefighter Wright was riding on the tailboard of the apparatus while responding on a call. The driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to run off the road and overturn. Firefighter Wright died from massive head injuries.

BURIAL LOCATION: Parkwood Cemetery – 3310 Taylor Avenue, Baltimore, MD. (Baltimore County adc map 28-d-12) Magnolia Section – just prior to Hawthorne circle, 4 rows from street, in line with “Devers” headstone on road. Behind “Davis” headstone, large bush growing over headstone.

Notes: Article – Evening Capital, February 20, 1950   

PLAQUES, MEMORIALS, DEDICATIONS, ETC.:

• Anne Arundel County Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Millersville
• Maryland Fire and Rescue Memorial Annapolis, MD
• Plaque hanging in entryway to Station #29

Evening Capital February 20, 1950

Fireman Killed When Truck Overturns
Fails To Make Turn While On Way To Fire Call

    A 26 year old Jessup fireman died of a fractured skull received Saturday night when a fire truck, answering a call, overturned.
    Joseph L. Wright, Jr. died at 1 A.M. yesterday in the St. Agnes hospital in Baltimore. The accident occurred on the Georgetown road near the Old Annapolis road at 11:15 P.M. Saturday.
    State Police said the driver, Bernard L. Gardner, had failed to make a turn and ran off the road and overturned. Wright was reportedly riding on the back and was thrown onto the road in the crash.
    One other fireman riding on the back, Lawrence Deutsch, 36 of Jessup, suffered a cut forehead and was taken to the hospital. Three men riding in the cab of the truck were uninjured.
    The house fire to which the company had been speeding was reportedly out on arrival. The driver of the truck, Bernard Gardner, was charged with manslaughter by police.

Services for Joseph L. Wright, Jr., born October 23, 1923, Died February 19, 1950.

Services held at Ruck’s Funeral Home on Tuesday at 3:00P.M.
Clergyman Rev. William B. Greynolds
Internment Parkwood Cemetery