Fire Chief Harry Blissard and Firefighter Shirley “Clyde” Copeland - Mansfield, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 32° 33.737 W 097° 08.539
14S E 674402 N 3604284
Plaque and Bell on the sign in front of the Firehouse No. 1.
Waymark Code: WM15W3H
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/06/2022
Views: 0
Plaque Text:
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
HARRY D. BLISSARD
1927 - 1968
SHIRLEY C. COPELAND
1922-1968
WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY IN A
FIRE AND EXPLOSION
JULY 31, 1968
Mansfield Texas Gov
"This was the darkest year for the Mansfield Fire Department. An explosion occurred on July 31 while fighting a fire at the Red Ball gas station in nearby Kennedale. A 10,000 gallon gasoline storage tank exploded. Two firefighters died, including Fire Chief Harry Blissard and firefighter Shirley “Clyde” Copeland, who died of his injuries three days later. More than half of the other Mansfield firefighters on scene were severely burned in the explosion. Much of the department’s equipment was also lost."
NBC News
"Tuesday morning, she, the Copelands, community members, and a handful of the firefighters who responded to that call 50 years ago listened to the story once again -- as the Mansfield Fire Department and city leaders took time to honor the bravery and sacrifices made that day.
During the ceremony, Blissard Lewis and the Copelands each received a special proclamation from the Mansfield City Council.
The Mansfield Fire Department honor guard then rang the bell that sits outside Fire Station 1 in tribute to them -- a bell that had been dedicated to their memory shortly after the explosion."