FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A pike pole is a long pole used by firefighters, and a memorial version of the pole carries the names of Washington firefighters who died in the line of duty.
The ceremonial pole was delivered this week to the South King Fire and Rescue department in Federal Way with the name of firefighter Doug Waller.
KING reports he's one of the first in the country to be recognized for contracting HIV on the job. He helped a heavily bleeding patient who later disclosed he had AIDS. Waller was diagnosed with disease before he died in 2006.
The "line of duty death" designation enables his family to receive benefits.
