© 2025 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.9 FM has returned to full power. Thank you for your patience and support!

Fallen firefighter honored with special recognition on a Franklin County highway

Kody Vanfossan's parents stand in front of the sigh featuring his son's name on Illinois 148 near Christopher.
Illinois State Fire Marshal
Kody Vanfossan's parents stand in front of the sigh featuring his son's name on Illinois 148 near Christopher.

A section of Illinois Highway 148 around Christopher is now know as Firefighter Kody M. Vanfossan Memorial Highway.

A dedication of the highway was held Tuesday morning in Franklin County.

Vanfossan died at the age of 24 while helping his father, a captain with the Christopher Fire Department, battle a six-alarm commercial fire in Christopher in 2019.

Once the stairway in the building collapsed, they were trapped. Mutual aid departments were able to locate and rescue his father within half an hour but were unable to locate Kody until four hours later.

Kody was a third-generation volunteer firefighter. He joined the department as a cadet in 2010 and had nine years of service.

As a news producer and news anchor on All Things Considered, Brad provides the listeners with a recap of the day's top local and state news as well as breaking news at any given time. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.