A young firefighter tragically died while celebrating her recent graduation from the local firefighting academy.
Sadia D. Williams, 21, a probationary firefighter, passed away while off duty on Sunday, Aug. 24, according to a statement from Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS.
Williams had just completed Cadet Class 27 on Friday, Aug. 22, officials said.
Police reported that Williams was celebrating her graduation when she fell from a Northeast D.C. building on the 700 block of 16th Street, according to NBC affiliate WRC-TV and CBS affiliate WUSA.
She fell from the four-story building around 1 a.m. local time, FOX affiliate WTTG reported, and was pronounced dead shortly afterward at a nearby hospital.
Williams was expected to begin her public service at Engine Company 13 in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood of D.C., according to fire officials.
She was remembered by her colleagues as “a dedicated employee, a rising professional, and a bright presence within our organization.”
“Throughout her training at the DC Fire and EMS Training Academy, she displayed strength, commitment, and the promise of a meaningful career in public service,” fire officials said. “The Department extends its deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all who served with her, and is working closely with her family during this unimaginable time.”
Police are investigating the incident, according to WRC-TV and WUSA. D.C. Police spokesperson Michael Russo stated that no foul play is suspected in connection with her death.
Dave Hoagland, president of the D.C. Firefighters Union, described Williams’ passing as “a really tough loss for the department and all D.C. firefighters.”
“This is incredibly tragic news,” Hoagland said. He added, “We deployed our peer support team down to the training academy today to sit with her class and talk through things and their feelings and just to make sure that everybody’s processing everything.”
