The Tragic Irony: How a Would-Be Firefighter Became Idaho Firefighters' Killer
On a routine Sunday afternoon in the rugged terrain of Canfield Mountain, Idaho, a wildfire call turned into a nightmare that shattered the tight-knit community of Coeur d'Alene. As smoke billowed through the popular recreation area, firefighters rushed to contain what appeared to be a standard brush fire. Instead, they walked into a meticulously planned ambush that would claim two lives, wound a third, and reveal a devastating twist: the alleged perpetrator, 20-year-old Wess Roley, had once dreamed of becoming one of them 15.
This horrific incident on June 29, 2025, represents one of the most brazen attacks on first responders in Idaho's history, raising urgent questions about firefighter safety, mental health crises, and the fragile line between aspiration and destruction.
The Ambush: A Routine Call Turns Deadly
The sequence of events began unfolding at approximately 1:21 PM when emergency dispatchers received reports of a fire in the densely wooded Canfield Mountain area northeast of Coeur d'Alene. Within minutes, crews from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department responded to what appeared to be a growing wildfire 23.
At approximately 2:00 PM—just 40 minutes after the initial response—frantic radio transmissions revealed the unthinkable: "Everybody's shot up here...send law enforcement now!" 4. Firefighters scrambling for cover behind their trucks faced a barrage of gunfire from an unseen assailant positioned strategically in the mountainous terrain. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris later confirmed the devastating toll: "This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance" 25.
Key Timeline of the Attack:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:21 PM | First report of fire at Canfield Mountain |
| 2:00 PM | Firefighters report taking gunfire |
| 3:30 PM | Over 300 law enforcement officers deployed |
| 7:40 PM | SWAT team locates suspect's body |
The Victims: Heroes Cut Down in Service
The ambush claimed the lives of two veteran firefighters who had dedicated their careers to protecting others:
Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, a 17-year veteran of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, served as a former Army National Guard combat engineer. Married with two children, Harwood exemplified the spirit of public service. Fire Chief Christopher Way described him as "an outstanding professional of the highest quality" 15.
Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, served the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department for 28 years, rising through the ranks from firefighter to battalion chief. His decades of institutional knowledge represented an irreplaceable loss to the department 15.
The wounded firefighter, Engineer David Tysdal, 47, underwent multiple surgeries and remained in critical condition following the attack. With 23 years of service, Tysdal's survival became a focal point for community prayers 5.
The Suspect: A Dream Deferred Turns Deadly
The alleged gunman, identified as 20-year-old Wess Roley, added a layer of tragic complexity to the incident. According to multiple sources, Roley had nurtured aspirations of becoming a firefighter himself. His grandfather, Dale Roley, revealed to CNN that the young man had been "doing tree work and he wanted to be a fireman in the forest...As far as I know, he was actually pursuing it" 35.
Roley's background reveals a transient existence marked by recent instability:
Originally from California and Arizona before moving to Idaho in 2024
Lived in Sandpoint, Idaho, working for a tree service
Stayed with roommate T.J. Franks Jr. for approximately six months
Recently exhibited increasingly concerning behavior, including shaving his head completely and making gang signs at security cameras 1
Described by Franks as "starting to decline or kind of go downhill" 1
Despite his stated aspirations, Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif confirmed that Roley had never applied to their department, and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue officials found no record of any application either 5. This disconnect between aspiration and reality—coupled with his apparent psychological decline—creates a haunting backdrop to the violence.
The Deadly Sequence: Fire as Bait
Evidence suggests Roley intentionally ignited the blaze using a flint fire starter, creating what Sheriff Norris described as "a total ambush" designed to lure first responders into a kill zone 15. The confrontation escalated when firefighters asked Roley to move his vehicle from the fire area—an ordinary request that apparently triggered the violence 14.
Firefighters initially took cover behind their engines as bullets struck their positions. Roley allegedly employed tactical positioning, climbing trees to gain advantage over responding units. Norris described the chaos: "When you have an environment where you don't know where the bullets are coming from because of the trees and the shrubbery...it is daunting for police officers, let alone firefighters" 45.
The Massive Manhunt and Tragic Conclusion
The attack triggered one of northern Idaho's largest law enforcement responses:
Over 300 officers from local, state, and federal agencies
Two helicopters equipped with sniper teams
FBI technical teams tracking Roley's cell phone signal
Shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents 23
As the manhunt unfolded, deputies strategically pushed Roley's vehicle down an embankment to prevent his escape. By 7:40 PM, a SWAT team located Roley's body on Canfield Mountain with a firearm nearby. Authorities determined he died by suicide as the wildfire approached his position 45.
Community in Mourning: Idaho's Heartbreak
The impact reverberated through Coeur d'Alene's community of 55,000 residents. Within hours of the shooting, citizens lined Interstate 90 holding American flags as a procession transported the fallen firefighters to Spokane's medical examiner 14.
Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered U.S. and state flags lowered to half-staff, stating: "All our public safety officers, especially our firefighters, bravely confront danger daily, but we have never seen a heinous act of violence like this against our firefighters before. This is not Idaho" 14.
Table: Profiles of Fallen Firefighters
| Name | Age | Department | Service Years | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Harwood | 42 | Kootenai County Fire & Rescue | 17 | Married, 2 children |
| John Morrison | 52 | Coeur d'Alene Fire Department | 28 | Not specified |
Lingering Questions and Ongoing Impact
As investigators process the scene, critical questions remain unanswered:
Motive: Authorities found no manifesto or clear explanation for the attack. Sheriff Norris admitted, "We have not been able to find a manifesto...a motive was still unknown" 1.
Weapons: While investigators confirmed Roley used a shotgun, they haven't ruled out additional firearms. Smaller projectiles found at the scene suggest possible fragmentation or another weapon type 5.
Mental Health: Roley's documented behavioral changes raise questions about potential psychological deterioration preceding the attack.
Fire Containment: The Nettleton Gulch Fire continued burning approximately 26 acres of steep terrain, hampering firefighting efforts even after the shooter's death 15.
The practical consequences are immediate: local law enforcement agencies have offered to accompany firefighters on every call—a sobering acknowledgment of newfound vulnerabilities. Chief Way acknowledged the psychological toll: "I don't know that we're ever going to be able to guarantee people's peace of mind, at least for a while after an incident like this" 1.
A Perverse Paradox: Aspiration to Annihilation
The revelation that Roley once aspired to join the profession he ultimately attacked creates a disturbing paradox that defies easy explanation. This tragic irony highlights several critical considerations for fire service leaders and communities:
Mental Health Awareness: The fire service must prioritize mental health resources not only for its members but in evaluating community threats. Roley's documented behavioral changes suggest opportunities for intervention might have existed.
Operational Security: Fireground operations now require enhanced threat assessment protocols. As Bruce Deming, a resident near Canfield Mountain, observed when noticing absent firefighting helicopters: "They're concerned about being shot at" 1.
Community Bridges: Strengthening connections between fire services and disaffected community members might prevent such tragedies. Roley's unfulfilled aspirations represent a missed opportunity for mentorship.
Conclusion: Honor Amid Heartbreak
The Coeur d'Alene firefighter ambush will leave permanent scars on Idaho's first responder community. As investigators work to unravel Roley's motives and the wounded firefighter battles for recovery, the bravery of Battalion Chiefs Harwood and Morrison stands as their enduring legacy.
Governor Little perhaps articulated the collective grief best: "This indescribable loss is felt deeply by all those in the firefighting community and beyond" 14. In honoring their sacrifice, we confront difficult questions about how a young man's dream of joining the fire service twisted into its ultimate betrayal—a reminder that some flames consume more than forests; they devour the very ideals of service and community.
How You Can Help:
The Harwood and Morrison families have established memorial funds at local credit unions. Contact Coeur d'Alene Fire Department or Kootenai County Fire & Rescue for donation information. Consider supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to honor all firefighters lost in the line of duty.
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