Our condolences to the Dake family and the La Grange, Kentucky Fire and Rescue Department. FireFighter Richard Dake, 48, a 2 year veteran of the La Grange Fire and Rescue, died Monday, March 4, 2002. Richard was returning a tanker to the fire station after a training exercise. While attempting to cross a set of railroad tracks, the tanker was struck on the passenger side by a CSX train traveling 35-40 MPH. The tanker was thrown 40 feet from the point of impact. Richard was ejected and thrown 60 feet from the point of impact. Richard was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital where he later died.

     Richard was retired from the Army and worked as a corrections officer at a local prison and had been part of the La Grange Fire Department since September 1999. He is survived by his wife and four children ranging from age 3 to 27.

     Visitation is to be held Thursday, March 7 from 2-8PM at the Heady-Radcliff Funeral Home, 311 West Jefferson Street in La Grange. Additional visitation will take place Friday, March 8 from 10-11AM at the Ballardsville Baptist Church, 4912 South Highway 53 in Crestwood. Services will follow at the church at 11AM, and interment will be at the Valley of the Rest in LaGrange. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Crusade for Children, a prominent local charity that firefighters often take collections for. Donations may be sent to: