Chesterfield remembers fallen firefighter on third anniversary of her tragic death

Jun 26, 2025 - 00:25

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Chesterfield remembers fallen firefighter on third anniversary of her tragic death

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A beloved Chesterfield County firefighter died in a "catastrophic accident" in June 2022. On the third anniversary of her death, her fellow firefighters took a moment to honor her memory.

Alica Monahan was a firefighter, paramedic and acting officer at Chesterfield County Fire and EMS' Clover Hill Fire Station. She was an experienced member of multiple specialized teams, including Chesterfield's SCUBA Rescue Team and the Virginia Helicopter Aquatics Rescue Team (VAHART).

On June 25, 2022, 41-year-old Monahan was teaching fire and EMS professionals about swift water rescues while off-duty in North Carolina.

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She became unresponsive while in the water and, despite heroic efforts to save her, tragically died in what officials called a "catastrophic accident."

Alicia A. Monahan in a photo from Chesterfield County Fire and EMS in Virginia. (Photo Courtesy of the Chesterfield County Fire Department)

Monahan had been with Chesterfield Fire for over a decade at the time of her death. She was incredibly loved by both her community and her fellow firefighters.

On Wednesday, June 25, three years after her death, fire officials posted a statement about Monahan on the agency's Facebook.

"Throughout her career, Alicia touched countless lives, bringing comfort and reassurance during times of crisis," fire officials said in that statement. "Her unwavering commitment to keeping others safe and her selfless acts of bravery left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her."

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The agency emphasized that Monahan will always serve as a role model for Chesterfield's first responders.

"Alicia's vibrant spirit, unwavering dedication and remarkable compassion continue to inspire us every day," fire officials said.

Future firefighters who are currently enrolled in Recruit School 71 also took time to remember Monahan on Wednesday.

Recruits gather to honor fallen firefighter Alicia Monahan on the third anniversary of her death. (Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)

According to fire officials, the recruits gathered at the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Memorial Wall -- located outside of the Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center -- to honor her memory.

All of Chesterfield's fallen firefighters are memorialized by this wall.

In August 2024, Monahan and another fallen Chesterfield firefighter were added to the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial in Richmond.