Fallen Philadelphia Firefighter Capt. Sean Williamson Selected by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Hometown Hero Award

PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that the office has named Captain Sean Williamson of the Philadelphia Fire Department ("PFD") as the posthumous recipient of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's Hometown Hero award. The former U.S. Marine and 27-year PFD veteran was killed during fire suppression operations in June 2022.

As part of Freedom 250Links to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., United States Attorneys' offices (USAOs) nationwide are honoring the Hometown Heroes of their districts. The Hometown Hero Award commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America by celebrating the enduring ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility. This award is dedicated in recognition of a steadfast commitment to these ideals and an embodiment of the spirit upon which our nation was founded.

U.S. Attorney Metcalf presented the award to Capt. Williamson's family at a ceremony this afternoon, with PFD Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson and numerous PFD members, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") investigators, and Assistant United States Attorneys in attendance.

"We could not think of a more deserving recipient of the Hometown Hero Award than Captain Sean Williamson, who gave so much of himself to protect Philadelphians in his nearly three decades on the job," said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. "He should be here to accept the award himself. But I'm honored to present it to his loved ones today, in recognition of his selfless service."

In the early hours of June 18, 2022, Capt. WilliamsonLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., filling in on an overtime assignment, was part of a PFD unit that responded to a fire at a mixed-used building that housed two apartments and a pizza shop. With the two young families who lived there able to safely flee the building, Capt. Williamson worked with other members of the PFD to place the fire under control.

He and a few others were on the second floor of the building, extinguishing hot spots, when the structure suddenly collapsed. Capt. Williamson was killed and several other firefighters injured.

Following an investigation by ATF Philadelphia and the ATF's National Response Team, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Fire Marshal's Office, and the Philadelphia Police Department, with significant assistance provided by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections, the fire was determined to be arson and the two men responsible were prosecuted by this office, convicted, and sentenced to decades in prison.