Rochester Fire Department to Remember Child & Firefighters Lost in 1953 Christmas Eve Drowning

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Christmas Eve marks the 72nd anniversary of one of the most tragic events in Rochester’s history. 

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The Rochester Fire Department is commending the anniversary by holding a ceremony. It begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Silver Lake Firefighters Memorial. 

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Rochester Fire Department to Hold Ceremony to Mark 72nd Anniversary of Silver Lake Drownings

On Dec. 24, 1953, Rochester Fire Fighters Ambrose Riley and Stanley O’Brien were dispatched to Silver Lake on the report of a young boy, 9-year-old John Stephenson, falling through the ice. 

Riley and O’Brien stopped wrapping Christmas presents for the city’s children in need, grabbed their gear and departed the downtown fire station.

Once at Silver Lake they spotted the young boy struggling in the icy water and began rescue efforts using a ladder and pike pole. 

O’Brien and Riley reached young John and were able to briefly slide him onto a floating piece of wood, but the child soon slipped beneath the surface.

Both firefighters dove to find the boy, but all three disappeared. Their bodies were recovered a short while later but efforts to revive them failed.

Wednesday’s ceremony will also mark the 22nd anniversary of the dedication of the memorial, which is near where the three drowned. 

The public is invited to attend the Christmas Eve ceremony.