Engine 15 Honored with Hometown Hero Award for Bravery Under Fire

Firefighter Jonathan Moore, Firefighter William Costello, Captain Nathan Jones, and Engineer Justin Barringer—stands united after receiving the Hometown Hero Award for their bravery under fire.  

By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire  

It was a moment of chaos, a day that would forever be etched in Charlotte’s history. On April 29, 2024, an active shooter ambushed law enforcement officers attempting to serve a warrant on Galway Drive. As gunfire erupted, four members of Charlotte Fire’s Engine 15—Captain Nathan Jones, Engineer Justin Barringer, Firefighter William Costello, and Firefighter Jonathan Moore—responded without hesitation, stepping into a situation no firefighter expects to face.  

Months later, the team received another recognition for their bravery: the Hometown Hero Award, presented by Modern Woodmen of America. The honor, awarded annually by the financial services organization, is given to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of service and bravery. For Brendan Helms, a Modern Woodmen senior financial advisor with deep ties to the fire service, the selection of Engine 15 was clear.

 Members of Charlotte Fire’s Engine 15 reflect on their response to the April 29 shooting, where their decisive actions helped extract wounded officers under active gunfire. Their bravery earned them the Hometown Hero Award from Modern Woodmen of America.  

Helms, whose father retired as a Charlotte Fire battalion chief and whose grandfather also served as a deputy chief, understands firsthand the dangers firefighters face daily. "When we consider who to recognize each year, we look at what stood out—not just in the fire department, but in the community," Helms said. "This year, every conversation led back to Engine 15. Their response that day was beyond extraordinary."  

The Hometown Hero Award is presented at the discretion of local Modern Woodmen chapters, recognizing first responders, educators, and community leaders who go above and beyond. Past recipients have included firefighters for their efforts in major fires, but the actions of Engine 15 on April 29 made them the clear choice for 2024.

Captain Nathan Jones of Engine 15 stands by his apparatus, reflecting on the courage and teamwork that defined their response to one of the darkest days in Charlotte Fire history.  

For the crew of Engine 15, the idea of being called heroes is something they have yet to embrace. “No, no. Nobody calls us heroes. We make sure to squash that,” Captain Nathan Jones said, reflecting on the award. “We just did what we would hope anyone else would do. If this had happened anywhere else in the city, I would hope those crews would have done the same thing.”  

That day, Engine 15 responded to what initially came through as a MEDIC Routine for an unknown medical emergency. Minutes later, the update came: two officers down. Without hesitation, they mobilized, arriving at the scene and assessing the rapidly evolving situation. As gunfire continued, they donned ballistic vests and, with CMPD providing force protection, moved toward the fallen officers.  

Under a hail of gunfire, the crew assisted in extracting CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer and loading him into a police vehicle to be transported to an ambulance staging area. They then moved back into the hot zone to assist in extracting Officer William “Alden” Elliott, providing life-saving medical care en route to the hospital.

Firefighter William Costello, part of the Engine 15 crew honored for their heroic response on Galway Drive, remains steadfast in his belief that they were simply doing their duty—protecting lives, no matter the risk.  

“We were just doing our job,” Firefighter Costello said. “We didn’t have time to think about anything else. The only thing on our minds was getting those officers out.”  

For Jones, a leader with years of experience, the event reinforced the importance of mentorship and trust within a crew. "You never know if your people will follow you on the bad day—until they do," he said. "You train for moments like this, but nothing prepares you for actually walking into an active gunfight. And when that happened, my guys didn’t hesitate. That’s what makes me proud.”  

When asked what advice he would give to a new firefighter who might one day find themselves in an unpredictable situation, Jones was direct. “Stay in our pocket,” he said, referencing a fire service saying about staying close to senior firefighters and learning from their actions. “That’s how you get through situations like this. You watch, you listen, and you trust your team. That’s what we did.”

Firefighter Jonathan Moore stands with quiet determination, reflecting on the experience that tested his skills and reinforced the unbreakable trust within his crew.

For Firefighter Jonathan Moore, one of the newer members of Engine 15, the lessons of that day were life-changing. "I had only been with this crew for a few months when this happened," he said. "I learned more in those eight minutes than I had in my entire career."  

Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson praised the crew for their composure and quick thinking under extreme pressure. “The members of Engine 15 displayed the highest level of professionalism and courage that day,” Johnson said. “They faced a situation most firefighters will never encounter, and they acted decisively to protect lives. Their actions are a testament to the unwavering dedication of Charlotte Fire.”  

He also acknowledged the broader response from all firefighters on duty that day. “This incident showed the strength of our entire department,” Johnson said. “Firefighters don’t hesitate when the community needs them, no matter the circumstances. I could not be more proud of the men and women who put their lives on the line that day.”  

Engineer Justin Barringer reflected on the overwhelming intensity of the moment and the trust he had in his crew. “We didn’t need to say much to each other—it was all about action,” Barringer said. “When you work alongside people you trust with your life, you don’t think twice. You just do what has to be done.” 

Engineer Justin Barringer played a critical role in ensuring Engine 15’s swift response, positioning their apparatus in a way that allowed them to extract the wounded while under threat.  

Helms emphasized that Modern Woodmen’s commitment to recognizing local heroes comes from a deep sense of community. “Firefighters don’t do this job for recognition,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve it. We want them to know their bravery, their sacrifice—it doesn’t go unnoticed.”  

As the award was presented, members of Engine 15 accepted it with humility, reiterating their belief that they were just doing their jobs. “We didn’t set out that day looking for an award,” Jones said. “We set out to do what needed to be done.”  

But for the city of Charlotte, the fire department, and the families of those they fought to save, their actions that day meant everything. And for that, they are—whether they accept the title or not—hometown heroes.