VIDEO: Creators of a video project to memorialize Prince George’s County firefighters who died in the line of duty had struggled to get their hands on one particular photo until a social media post Monday night brought an end to their search.
John Leyh was a member of the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department who lost his life helping citizens of the county more than six decades ago.
On July 12, 1956, Leyh responded to a car crash in his own car. While driving home, he himself crashed into a tree. He was 27 years old.
The fatal collision resulted in a major change in safety procedures, Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department Chief Danny McCoy said. "As a result of his line-of-duty death we actually stopped our members from having the ability to respond to the scene in their personal vehicles. While it doesn't seem like a big deal... back in the day, that's how everything was handled," McCoy said.