CFD, community ties red ribbons to honor fallen Chicago Fire Department Captain David Meyer; Charles Green charged in Austin fire
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s been a difficult week for many in the Chicago Fire Department mourning the loss of Captain David Meyer.

The CFD captain died last week in a West Side fire that prosecutors say was ignited by a convicted felon.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The community came out to Gladstone park on Sunday, honoring the Meyer family with red ribbons hung out all along North Milwaukee Avenue, right outside the funeral home where visitation services will be held.

“This is what we do for the ones we love,” said volunteer Maureen Stanton, a longtime friend of Meyer. “We love Dave, and we love his family.”

The flare of red ribbons are now shining across the Northwest Side, honoring a fallen hero that was taken far too soon.

Captain Meyer was killed in the line of duty Wednesday from injuries suffered in a garage fire in Austin.

READ MORE | Convicted felon charged in West Side fire that killed CFD captain to be held in custody

On Sunday, 45th Ward Alderman Jim Gardiner wanted to bring people together to show love to the Meyer family.

“That’s what the Northwest Side is all about,” Ald. Gardiner said. “We have a tight knit community. We have many first responders who live here, and we’re trying to give back just a sample of the love and appreciation David gave to this community.”

It’s a tragedy that has hit close to home for many in the community.

“It’s incredibly difficult for all of us, because we all know someone whose father or mother is a first responder, so to see loss like this happen, you know, it could affect anyone close to you at any time,” said Dan Ciolino with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce.

People of all ages grabbed ribbons and spread them across the Northwest Side.

Justice will be served… our thoughts and prayers are with the Meyer family and making sure they get through this ordeal.

Ald. Jim Gardiner, 45th Ward

Stanton is one of the volunteers who showed up today, and she said her and Meyer were longtime friends.

“Every time you saw him he had a smile on his face,” Stanton said. “He was just a genuine wonderful man. He’s gonna be so missed by so many people.”

As people prepare for Meyer’s services over the next two days, the investigation also continues into the fire that led to his death.

Chicago police arrested 44-year-old Charles Green Friday for allegedly lighting a fire in a trash bin which investigators say was the cause of that garage fire. Green has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated arson.

When investigators arrested Green on the same day of the fire, they recovered lighters, lighter fluid, burnt paper and the clothes Green was wearing when he was recorded by several security cameras. Authorities said that clothing preliminarily tested positive for accelerants.

Green has denied any involvement in setting the fire. A witness, along with Green’s girlfriend, identified him in the surveillance video.

Prosecutors said Green is a convicted felon with five prior convictions dating back to the 1990s. According to court records, he already had a warrant for arrest issued for failure to appear in court for a retail theft case.

“Justice will be served, I’m sure of that,” Gardiner said. “Right now our concern, our thoughts and prayers are with the Meyer family and making sure they get through this ordeal.”

Public visitation for Captain Meyer will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Malec and Sons Funeral Home in Norwood Park on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

The funeral service follows Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Saint John Brebeuf Church in Niles.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Russia's Lavrov warns US against 'exploiting' alliances as he meets with Kim Jong Un in North Korea

Russia’s Lavrov Cautions US on ‘Abusing’ Alliances During Meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the “invincible fighting brotherhood” between Russia…
Jennifer Aniston gets back massage from Jim Curtis on yacht

Jennifer Aniston Enjoys a Relaxing Yacht Massage from Jim Curtis

That escalated quickly. Jennifer Aniston was recently seen receiving a massage and…
France Norse Atlantic Airways passenger curses out airport workers in meltdown over canceled NY-bound flight

French Passenger Lashes Out at Airport Staff After Norse Atlantic Flight to New York Is Canceled

A passenger had a complete meltdown in an airport after learning her…
Mountain lion possibly sighted in this New York city

Possible Mountain Lion Sighting Reported in New York City

A big roar rattled residents in Rochester and hit a bit too…
Militant union bosses urge doctors not to tell their hospitals if they are striking – sparking fears for patient safety

Aggressive Union Leaders Instruct Doctors to Withhold Strike Participation from Hospitals, Raising Concerns for Patient Safety

Union leaders from a militant standpoint are advising doctors that they are…
Top Ukrainian spy gunned down in Kyiv ambush attack: report

Senior Ukrainian Intelligence Officer Shot in Surprise Kyiv Assault: Report

A top Ukrainian spy was gunned down in Kyiv in broad daylight…
Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White hosts 11th annual 'Off to College Trunk Party' for Chicago high school graduates

Ex-Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White Celebrates 11th ‘Off to College Trunk Party’ for Chicago Graduates

CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White hosted his…
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at a celebration.

Former ISIS captives reveal the reality of Syria’s former Al Qaeda leader, advising Western countries against trusting him.

TWO former slaves have issued a stark warning to the West about…
Trump reveals NATO sale to boost arms to Ukraine as Putin launches overnight maternity hospital strike

Trump Announces NATO Agreement to Increase Arms Supply to Ukraine Amid Putin’s Overnight Attack on Maternity Hospital

President Donald Trump announced a fresh NATO agreement on Thursday night that…
Texas high school senior helps save family from raging floodwaters

Brave Texas High School Senior Rescues Family from Severe Flooding

A high school senior experienced a small miracle upon returning home after…
Boeing settles with a man whose family died in a 2019 crash in Ethiopia

Boeing Reaches Settlement with Man After 2019 Ethiopian Crash that Killed His Family

The tragic 2019 crash claimed the lives of all 157 passengers, including…
New Mexico brute Adlai Mestre allegedly shot parents, teen sister and family dog to death -- and dragged their corpses to ravine to 'bury them'

Tragic Incident in New Mexico: Adlai Mestre Accused of Killing Family and Dog, Attempting to Conceal Bodies in Ravine

A violent individual is accused of fatally shooting his parents, teenage sister,…