Wall of the Fallen
On September 9, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, members of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (ITRHFM) gathered on the museum grounds for the official dedication ceremony of the Wall of the Fallen, a monument to honor towing operators killed in the line of service generously funded by the MILLER FOUNDATION.
The mission statement of the Wall of the Fallen reads: “To honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to generate public awareness of the dangers involved in the towing and recovery industry and to permanently record and commemorate those involved in fatalities in the towing and recovery industry.”
Wall of the Fallen Ceremony 2023
Date of Birth: October 9, 1988
Date of Death: January 17, 2022
Age at Death: 33
State/Province: Ontario / Canada
Phillip Smith was working in a blizzard on January 17, 2022. It was early afternoon and Phillip was assisting a motorist… Read More
Date of Birth: August 23, 1981
Date of Death: December 23, 2001
Age at Death: 20
State/Province: /
Mr. Nolan's truck was en route to a call when he was reportedly cut off and rolled over. He was… Read More
Date of Birth: January 1, 1970
Date of Death: May 31, 2023
Age at Death: 31
State/Province: California / United States
A disabled vehicle needed to be towed late the night of May 31, 2023. Presiliano Chavez responded and was working… Read More
Date of Birth: December 26, 2024
Date of Death: December 28, 1983
Age at Death: 59
State/Province: Kentucky /
Mr. Coulter was responding to accident where a woman had ran off the road due to ice on the road.… Read More
Date of Birth: January 1, 1970
Date of Death: July 17, 2001
Age at Death:
State/Province: California /
While Mr. Fox-Reynolds was responding to a call he lost control of the the truck. After hitting the center divider… Read More
Date of Birth: January 15, 1973
Date of Death: September 10, 2017
Age at Death: 44
State/Province: Pennsylvania / USA
In the early morning hours of September 10, 2017, Ralph Watrous was working to assist a motorist on the side… Read More
Date of Birth: September 20, 1931
Date of Death: October 29, 2005
Age at Death: 73
State/Province: Florida /
Ralph Tappen was born on September 20 1931. Ralph is the father of Kit Tappen our previous Wall inclusion. On… Read More
Date of Birth: January 1, 1970
Date of Death: July 26, 2022
Age at Death: 45
State/Province: Texas / United States
Randal Kelly was working to secure a work truck for towing the afternoon of July 26, 2022. As he worked along… Read More