Memorial A Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen member killed in the line-of-duty breaks the hearts of many of us -- family, friends and co-workers. The death of a fellow member spurs the minds and souls of every BLET member to help prevent another Brother or Sister from a needless death on the rails. The BLET members below are constant reminders and tragic realities that our union's work may never be finished. Nevertheless, if we do not continually fight to gain rail safety improvements for employees and the public, then these brave individuals will have sacrificed their lives without the full and proper respect that is their due. We, the 57,000 members, officers and employees of the BLET in the U.S. and Canada, hereby salute and forever memorialize these members who gave their lives while faithfully performing their duties on the job. By their deaths and our sincere desire to understand and eliminate the causes, we pray that we may keep other loved ones from being added to this memorial. The BLET vows never to forget - the BLET vows never to give up the fight. I will find a way or make one. -- Hannibal, 217 B.C. Memorial of Engineers Killed in the Line of Duty Since 9/1/91 Houston, Texas - September 15 - Local Chairman killed in head-on collision Brother G.Y. Bailey, Local Chairman of BLET Division 62 in Houston, was killed on September 15 when his train collided head-on with a southbound chemical train in dark territory about 60 miles northeast of Houston. Both Union Pacific trains derailed, causing a hazmat spill. Along with serving as his Division's local chairman, he was actively involved in the organization as a primary member of the BLET Safety Task Force and the National Mobilization Team. He also served as Chairman of the Southwestern Convention Meeting in 2004. Brother Bailey, 51, began working for Union Pacific in 1978 and joined the BLE in 1992. Anding, Miss. -- July 10, 2005 -- Two BLET members killed in head-on collision BLET Division 203 (Jackson, Miss.) members Mark Cain and Arthur "Buddy" Irby were killed on July 10, 2005, when their CN/IC locomotives collided head-on in Anding, Miss. Two other crew members were also killed in the collision. Conductors Shannon Purvis, 21, of Puckett, Miss., and Samuel Jones Sr., 58, of Jackson, Miss. were both members of the United Transportation Union. Brother Cain, 51, joined the BLE on November 1, 1986. Brother Irby, 58, joined the BLE on October 1, 1973. Graniteville, S.C. -- January 6, 2005 -- BLET member killed in Norfolk Southern derailment Brother Christopher G. Seeling, Secretary-Treasurer of BLET Division 85 (Columbia, S.C.), was killed on January 6 when his Norfolk Southern train collided with another train that was stopped in a siding. He was one of eight people to die in the accident. Brother Seeling, 28, joined the BLET on March 1, 2001. Niland, Calif. -- December 10, 2004 -- BLET member killed in collision of two Union Pacific trains Brother Kenneth Leonard of BLET Division 5 (Los Angeles, Calif.) was killed in a head-on collision between two Union Pacific freight trains on December 10. Brother Leonard joined the BLE on November 1, 1992. He was 44 years old. Four other crew members were taken for medical treatment as a precaution for what were considered minor injuries. Five locomotives and seven rail cars were derailed. Clovis, N.M. -- September 2, 2004 -- BLET members killed in remote control switching accident Glen A. "Skip" York, II, a member of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 811, was killed in a remote control switching accident in the Burlington Northern Santa Fe yard in Clovis, N.M., on September 2. Brother York, 26, joined BLET Division 811 in Clovis on April 1, 2004, following in the footsteps of his father, Glen A. York, who also belongs to Division 811. San Antonio, Texas -- June 28, 2004 -- BLET member dies as a result of chlorine gas leak following collision Brother Heath Pape, a member of BLET Division 197 in San Antonio, Texas, was killed in the collision between a Union Pacific train and a BNSF train on Monday, June 28. Brother Pape had just joined the BLET. He was 23 years old. The train derailed around Southwest Loop 1604 and Nelson Road, near the town of Macdona. A total of 23 cars from the two trains derailed, according to fire officials. New Orleans -- June 25, 2004 -- BLET member dies in collision with gasoline tanker truck BLET Division 230 (Meridian, Miss.) member Dennis Vinson was killed in a collision between his Norfolk Southern train and a gasoline tanker truck on June 25. He was 58 years old. Brother Vinson joined the BLET on June 1, 1990. The train had a three-man crew. The train's conductor, Anthony J. "Tony" Mills, 58, was also killed in the accident, and the brakeman, Charles LaBella, 58, jumped off the rear of the train and suffered minor injuries. The driver of the truck, Henry Blount, also died. Gunter, Texas -- May 19, 2004 -- BLET member killed in head on collision E.M. "Mike" Rogers, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, was killed in a head-on train crash near Gunter, Texas, on May 19. Brother Rogers, 49, was a member of BLET Division 172 in Fort Worth, Texas. He first joined the Brotherhood on April 1, 1998. Elwood, Ind. -- May 18 -- BLET member killed in a yard switching accident Jeff C. York, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, was killed in a yard switching accident on May 18. Brother York, 35, worked for Norfolk Southern and first joined BLET Division 106 in Muncie, Ind., on December 6, 2000. He was working as a conductor and standing on a ladder on back of a train's last box car when the accident happened. As the train backed up, he became pinned between the train and the left front fender of a semi that was making a delivery of vinegar to the Red Gold tomato processing plant in Elwood, Ind. Carrizozo, N.M. -- February 21, 2004 -- Two BLET members killed in collision of two UP trains Engineer Anthony C. Rodella, 57, and conductor Jeffrey S. Bohler, 32, were killed in the collision of two Union Pacific freight trains in Carrizozo, N.M., on February 21, 2004. Rodella and Bohler were both members of BLET Division 192 in El Paso, Texas. Brother Rodella joined the BLET in 1974 and Brother Bohler became a member in 2003. McBride, B.C. -- May 14, 2003 -- BLET member killed in collapse of trestle BLE member Art P. McKay of BLET Division 843 (Prince George, B.C.) and conductor Ken LeQuesne were killed in the line of duty on May 14, 2003, as a railroad trestle collapsed under their Canadian National freight train. Two locomotives and six cars plunged into a ravine and caught fire. Brother McKay joined the BLE on May 1, 1981. Hinesville, Ga. -- May 7, 2003 -- BLET member killed when Amtrak train hits log truck L.W. "Wayne" Edenfield died on May 7, 2003, from injuries sustained in an Amtrak collision with a log truck near Hinesville, Ga. Brother Edenfield was a member of BLET Division 35 (Jacksonville, Fla.), having served a term as its Secretary-Treasurer in the late 1990s. He first joined the BLET on April 1, 1983. Brother Edenfield, 53, was the locomotive engineer of Amtrak's Silver Star (Train No. 91) when a log truck pulled into his path at 7:25 a.m. in Liberty County, east of Hinesville, Ga. The locomotive and all 10 cars derailed, but they remained upright. Clarendon, Texas - May 28, 2002 "Member G.D. Shelby killed in fiery head-on collision" BLE member G.D. Shelby was killed and three other train crew members were injured in a fiery head-on collision between two Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains near Clarendon, Texas, on May 28, 2002. Brother G.D. Shelby, 61, was killed when the westbound freight train on which he was the engineer collided with an eastbound coal train about two miles west of Clarendon. Brother Shelby joined BLE Division 871 in Slaton, Texas, on September 1, 1989. Wilmington, Del. -- March 21, 2002 "Local Chairman killed by Amtrak train" Brother Charles B. "Charlie" Smith, 35, was struck and killed by an Amtrak train as he boarded his Norfolk Southern freight train just north of the Edgemore freight yard near Delaware. It is believed he either fell or was "sucked in" by the wind of the fast moving passenger train. Brother Smith was 22 years old when he first joined the BLE on Aug. 17, 1989. He was Local Chairman of BLE Division 484 (Delmar, Del.) at the time of his death. He is survived by a wife and two children. "He was a very conscientious union representative and a good man," said Division 484 Secretary-Treasurer Everette M. Masten Jr. Arminto, Wyo. -- December 7, 2001 "Engineer killed in BNSF siding collision" Brother Mike W. Hoover, 48 years old, lost his life when his Burlington Northern Santa Fe train unexpectedly encountered a mainline switch lined for a siding. The train was traveling at approximately 46 mph when it collided head-on with several locomotives attached to an unoccupied train, which had been previously parked in the siding for several days. Brother Hoover joined BLE Division 207 (Casper, Wyo.) on Aug. 1, 1977. "Losing Mike is very much like losing a close family friend," said Division 207 Local Chairman Eric Kriegh. Springfield Township, Mich. -- November 15, 2001 "Engineer killed in CN head-on collision" Brother T.O. "Tom" Landris, a 27-year member of BLE Division 650 (Durand, Mich.), was killed in a head-on collision just outside of Detroit, Mich. Also killed was UTU Member Gary Chase. Their train, #243, was traveling from Flat Rock, Mich., to Flint, Mich., when it collided head-on with train #533, in a siding near Springfield Township. A fiery blaze ensured, forcing the evacuation of 100 homes in the area. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Brother Landris was 49 years old at the time of his death. Following this tragedy, BLE International President Don M. Hahs instituted a new policy requiring that the BLE flag atop the International Division headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, be flown at half staff following the death of a BLE member in the line of duty. Lake Charles, La. -- March 21, 2001 "BLE engineer killed in deadheading collision" BLE engineer Ray J. Ste. Marie, 48 years old at the time of his death, was killed while deadheading from Houston to the Union Pacific terminal in Alexandria, La. As the van he was traveling in slowed down for a highway construction zone on Interstate 10, just east of Lake Charles, La., it was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler. The van was shoved into the rear of another 18-wheeler, killing Brother Ste. Marie, the van driver, and a conductor, M. Deramus, 48. Brother Ste. Marie was a Union Pacific locomotive engineer and a member of BLE Division 366 in Houston, Texas. He joined the BLE on Sept. 1, 1980, as an engineer for the old Southern Pacific. He was Chaplain of Division 366 from 1997-2000. South Fork, Pa. -- January 11, 2001: "BLE engineer killed inspecting locomotive" Brother D.E. Nichols Jr. of BLE Division 255 (Steubenville, Ohio) was killed the morning of January 11, 2001, near South Fork, Pa. It is believed that the Brother Nichols had stopped to inspect for flat spots and was hit by a train on an adjacent track while traveling between Conway and Harrisburg, Pa. Nichols, 52, joined BLE Division 255 in 1971 and was a resident of Richmond, Ohio. He leaves behind a son and his father. East Feliciana Parish, La. - June 26, 2000 "Engineer Killed as a loaded log truck hits CN-IC train at a grade crossing" Brother Wayne Connor, 56, was elected chairman of the BLE's Louisiana State Legislative Board just before his death. He also served as president of Division 914 (Baton Rouge, La.). The fatal collision happened exactly one week after Brother Connor's 56th birthday. He first joined the BLE on Jan. 1, 1979. Mont-St.- Hilaire, Quebec - December 30, 1999 "BLE Engineer killed as two CN freight trains collide 50 kilometers east of Montreal" A fiery crash of two Canadian National freight trains on December 30, 1999, in Mont-St.- Hilaire, Quebec, led to the tragic death of two railroad workers, including BLE member Yvan Theriault. Also killed was Conductor Paul Davis. Theriault, 47, was a member of BLE Division 558 (Charny, Quebec). He joined the BLE on September 1, 1977. He left behind a wife, Diane Tremblay, a son, Frederic, and a daughter, Caroline. Two trains were traveling in opposite directions on different tracks when they collided in Mont-St.-Hilaire, about 50 kilometers east of Montreal. CN officials speculate one of the trains derailed and tipped over onto the other. The accident caused a fire ball that sent flames shooting 50 metres into the air, lighting up the night sky. Hardin County, Iowa - November 6, 1999 "Engineer killed as Union Pacific freight train struck a tractor-trailer that ignored grade crossing signal" R. A. Oertwig, 48 years old at the time of death, a member of BLE Division 778 in Des Moines, Iowa. Had been a BLE member for 19 years. Clinton, Iowa - August 11, 1999 "I&M Rail Link Engineers die as their Union Pacific freight train hits cars left on track" Engineer Carl Finzel, 60 years old at the time of death, a member of BLE Division 119 in Dubuque, Iowa. Had been a member for 30 years. Conductor Arnold Roth, also a member of BLE Division 119. Had been a member for 2 years.   Thamesville, Ontario - April 23, 1999 "Many fatalities averted because of two heroic VIA Rail engineers who died in derailment" Engineer Don Blain, 45 years old at the time of death, a member of BLE Division 747, Mimico, Ontario. Had been a member for 15 years.Engineer Kevin Lihou, 34 years old at the time of death, also a member of BLE Division 747. Was a new BLE member.   Toledo, Ohio - January 17, 1999 "Engineer killed as three Conrail trains collide in heavy fog" Engineer Roger H. Bell, 56 years old at the time of death, a member of BLE Division 457, Toledo, Ohio. Had been a BLE member for 26 years.   Hawthorne, IL - October 26, 1998 "Engineer killed when struck in yard" Debbie Dickerson, 42 years old at the time of her death, was a member of BLE Division 114 (Waterloo, Iowa). She joined the BLE on April 1, 1989, and was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad.   Small, Texas - May 13, 1998 "Union Pacific Engineer and Conductor killed off duty when taxi is hit by train" Engineer David Butler, 51 years old at the time of death, a member of BLE Division 192, El Paso, Texas. Had been a BLE member for 24 years. Topeka, Kansas - December 11, 1997 "Engineer Hit by Passing Train After Dismounting to Inspect Locomotive Consist" Engineer J.L. (Joe) King, 46 years old at the time of death, a member of BLE Division 81 at Kansas City, Kansas, for 19 years. Had been an employee of Union Pacific Railroad for 23 years.   Fort Worth, Texas - August 21, 1997 "Runaway Locomotive Consist collides head-on with Freight Train" Engineer Roy W. Adams, 54 years old at time of death, member BLE Division 568, Dennison, Texas for 22 years. Had been employed by Union Pacific for 25 years. Rossville, KS-July 2, 1997 "Side Collision of Two Union Pacific Freight Trains and Chemical Spill" Engineer Michael E. Brown, 46 years old at the time of death, member of BLE Division 81 for over 6 years. Had been employed by Union Pacific for 19 years and was promoted to locomotive engineer in January of 1991. Scary, WV- June 7, 1997 "Rear-end collision and chemical spill between two CSX trains" Engineer Kelvin N. Winters, 30 years old at time of death, member of BLE Division 190, Huntington, WV. BLE Member 2 years. Conrad, B.C. - 3/26/97 "CN Train Hits Washed Out Track and Derails" Locomotive Engineer Terrance (Terry) Allen Gallis, 39 years old at time of death, employed by Canadian National and a member of Division 855, Kamloops, B.C. Brother Gallis died as a result of his train hitting a track wash out. Waycross, GA - 9/24/96 "Collision between CSX Freight Train and a Log Truck at a Grade Crossing" Engineer, William B. Smith, Jr., 57 yrs. old at time of death, employed with CSX Transportation Eastern Lines. Promoted to engineer April 9, 1962. Member of Division 803. Smithfield, WV - 8/20/96 "Head on Collision between two CSXT Freight Trains" Engineer, Tom L. Shay, 42 yrs. old at time of death, employed with CSX Transportation Northern Lines. Promoted to engineer January 1995. Member of Division 284. Edson, Alberta - 08/13/96 "Head on Collision of Canadian National Freight Train and Runaway Cars near Edson, Alberta" Locomotive Engineer Jake Elder, 45 year old at the time of his death, was employed with Canadian National Railway at Edmonton, Alberta, and a member of Division 864. Hired on Canadian National Railway at Edmonton in 1974 and qualified as a locomotive engineer in 1979. Brother Elder served on the Audit Committee of Division 864 2/21/96 "Derailment and Chemical Spill of Leadville, CO - SouthernPacific Freight Train" Engineer, J.M. Roybal, 44 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway. Promoted to engineer February 1, 1977. Member of Division 29. Student Engineer, C.W. Reagan, 34 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway. Student Engineer since January 1, 1996. Member of Division 29. Silver Springs, MD - 2/16/96 "Side Collision of Amtrak Passenger Train and Marc Commuter Train" Engineer, Ricky M. Orr, 43 yrs. old at time of death, employed with CSXT RR. since 1970. Promoted to engineer 7/1/74. Member of Division 97. Secaucus, NJ - 2/9/96 "Side Collision and Derailment of New Jersey Transit Trains 1254 & 1107" Engineer, Alfonso S. De Bonis, 47 yrs. old at time of death, employed with New Jersey Transit RR. Promoted to engineer 1/1/91. Member of Division 171. Engineer, John DeCurtis, 59 yrs. old at time of death, employed with the railroad for 40 years. Member of the United Transportation Union. Laramie, WY - 11/18/95 "Rear-End Collision and Derailment of two Union Pacific Freight Trains" Engineer, Dale W. Gibson, 45 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Union Pacific RR-Central Region since April 1, 1978. Member of Division 103. Zana, FL - 9/21/95 "Head-on-Collision with a Sludge Truck" Assistant Engineer, Randall L. Moses, 43 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Amtrak since August 1, 1980. Member of Division 35. Procter, B.C. - 1/20/95 "CP Rail Train Hits Rock Slide and Derails" Locomotive Engineer Peter Whitehead, 39 years old at time of death, employed by CP Rail. Member of Division 563, Cranbrook, B.C. Brother Whitehead died as a result of his train hitting a rock slide and derailing into Kootenay Lake. Marathon, TX - 7/25/94 "Head-on-Collision between two Southern Pacific Trains" Engineers, F.H. "Rick" Bonnell, 56 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Southern Pacific-Eastern Lines since April 1, 1963. Member of Division 566. Milby E.Winn, 59 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Southern Pacific-Eastern Lines since May 1, 1974. Member of Division 566. Thedford, NE - 6/8/94 "Collision and Derailment involving three Burlington Northern Freight Trains" Engineer, Tim V. Anderson, 34 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Burlington Northern since July 1, 1980. Member of Division 622. Selma, NC - 5/16/94 " Derailment of The Silver Meteor Amtrak Train 87 following Collision with Intermodal Trailer from CSXT Train 176" Assistant Engineer, Robert Brooks Woodward, Sr., 41 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Amtrak since May 1, 1986. Member of Division 14. Flora, MS - 2/26/94 "Head-on-Collision of Illinois Central Railroad Trains BRME-25 and MenL-26" Engineer, J.L. Plunk, 55 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Illinois Central RR since October 1, 1992. Member of Division 23. Kelso, WA - 11/11/93 "Head-on-Collision and Derailment of Burlington Northern Freight with Union Pacific Freight Train" Engineer of train 09, Mark A. Poler, 41 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Union Pacific RR-Western Lines since December 1980. Promoted to engineer November 1, 1990. Member of Division 892. He was married. Engineer of train 111, Wayne R. Kronberger, 40 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Burlington Northern RR since March 1979. Promoted to engineer July 1980. Member of Division 518. Saraland, AL - 9/22/93 "Derailment of Amtrak Train No. 2 on the CSXT Big Bayou Canot Bridge" Engineers, Billy R. Hall, 47 yrs. old at time of death, emloyed with Amtrak RR since June 1, 1980. Ernest L. Russ, 43 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Amtrak RR since January 1, 1974. Mike D. Vinet, 39 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Amtrak RR since July 1, 1979. All three engineers were members of Division 18 in New Orleans. Knox, IN - 9/17/91 "Norfolk Southern Head-On-Collision and Derailment" Engineer of train 277, Richard A. Marks, 40 yrs. old at time of death, employed with Norfolk Southern since August 1, 1972. He was a delegate in the 1991 Convention and Chairman of the Credentials Committee. At his time of departure, he was also Local C hairman of Division 537 in Fort Wayne, IN. He was married, and the father of two (2) children. His son, C.W. Marks is currently an engineer with Norfolk Southern Railroad and a member of Division 537. Rochester, NY - 05/19/89 "Shifted Load of Lumber Striking Locomotive Cab of Amtrak Train No. 49" Locomotive Engineer Peter L. Sylvester, 59 years old at the time of his death, was employed with Amtrak and a member of Division 752 in Albany, NY. Shortly after Westbound Amtrak Train 49 departed Rochester, NY with Engineer Sylvester at the throttle, an eastbound Conrail freight passed Train 49 in a series of curves. A shifted load of lumber struck the engineer's side of the cab killing Engineer Sylvester instantly. Division 752 donated the engineers to operate a Turbo Train at no cost to Amtrak so that Amtrak employees could attend the funeral service. © 1997-2008 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen