08/20/2026
On August 20, 1975 at 52 minutes past midnight, the Carver Fire Department dispatched Company 2 to a reported motor vehicle accident with a victim trapped under the car on Route 44 at the Carver Plymouth town line.
Minutes later Engine 2 left Station 2 in North Carver with a crew of 4, FF Eino Laine, FF Robert Harriman, Lieut. George Peck, and myself who was a Captain of Co. 2 at the time. Enroute to the scene we were behind Deputy Chief John Orzechowski in his personal vehicle and behind us, was Firefighter Daniel F. Schlecht in his personal vehicle.
As we rounded a slight bend and hill on Wenham Road, we were met by a car that was moving at an extremely high rate of speed. Because of the distance between us we didn’t know then, but we later learned that this speeding car forced Deputy Orzechowski off of the road narrowly missing his vehicle. The Deputy was able to get his vehicle back on the road and continue on to the scene.
Upon our arrival at the scene, it was determined that the trapped victim had been freed by civilians and was leaving for the hospital in the police cruiser/ambulance.
At that point Firefighter Laine (who had been riding the rear step of Engine 2) reported that he thought Danny Schlecht had possibly been involved in an accident since he was behind us before we rounded the corner and he wasn’t seen after that. Then FF Alan Dunham reported that as he responded to the scene on Plymouth St he could see a fire on Wenham Road.
We then responded back on Wenham Road and discovered a head on collision in the eastbound travel lane of Wenham Road……..one of the vehicles involved was Firefighter Danny Schlecht’s.
I will not go into the details of the accident, but I feel compelled to note the following:
1. Firefighter Schlecht was in the correct lane of travel on Wenham Road.
2. Firefighter Schlecht had been maintaining a reasonable distance behind the fire apparatus.
3. Firefighter Schlecht had been travelling at a reasonable speed.
In other words, Firefighter Schlecht was performing his duty exactly as he should have been; he was operating his vehicle in a reasonable and safe manner in his efforts to come to the aid of a victim who was in a desperate situation……..
In doing so, Firefighter Daniel F. Schlecht lost his life…….
Firefighter Schlecht who was 26 years old left his wife Donna, and 2 small children; Dawn, Age 4 and Danny Jr, age 5.
Danny Schlecht had joined the Carver Fire Department in September of 1974. He served as a firefighter for 11 months. In that short time he earned the respect of all who worked with him. We will never forget his ever present smile…..his “we can do it” attitude, his ability to crack a joke and make the most angry person laugh, or his tremendous thirst for knowledge in his efforts to be a better firefighter. I believe these characteristics were only eclipsed by the pride that he exhibited when he talked of his family.
Danny was living what most of us regard as the American dream…..he purchased a nice home in a nice neighborhood where he and Donna could raise their two children, he volunteered for the local fire department, Donna volunteered for the Firefighter’s Auxiliary……Danny volunteered and worked on the annual church barbeque, and he even volunteered to work with the youth in his neighborhood by erecting a basketball court in his yard…….even though his own children were too young to play. This man who gave so much and had so much more to give…..and was needed and counted on for so much by his young family, lost his life in an instant while coming to the aid of another.
It may make you uncomfortable, but out of respect to Danny I think that we should all take a few moments and think of the dynamics of that night;
Danny Schlecht probably woke from a sound sleep that night to the sounds of a scanner saying that someone was trapped under a car and in need of assistance. Danny Schlecht left his bed, his home, and his family to go to the aid of another. Danny Schlecht did not know if he was going to help an adult, a child, a man or a woman…a white person, a black person, or yellow person…..he didn’t know if they spoke English or Russian…..he didn’t know if they were rich or poor….and I guess what is special to all of us….HE DIDN’T CARE!....someone needed help. Less than 10 minutes after Danny left his home that night, he paid the supreme sacrifice.
In a world with so many bad and evil people, I will never be able to understand why Danny Schlecht died that night. It’s fair to say that Danny was the kind of guy every father hopes their son grows up to be…..and I feel that Danny exemplified the image of the Carver Fire Department, an organization rich in the heritage of dedication, unselfish sacrifice, and inspired human action.
As Chief of Department and a member of the Carver Firefighter’s Association, I am extremely proud of the fact that the Association chose to to establish this memorial. At this time I would like to recognize the Members of of the Daniel F. Schlecht Memorial Committee: Association President and Committee Chairman Vincent Nocera, Robert Middendorf, Eric Weston, Lenny Roby, Danny Wilcox, Dave Buker, Bob Vestute, Gerry Farquharson, Rob Harriman, and Alan I. “Father” Dunham
The hours of planning, practicing, and general hard work have all paid off handsomely. From finding the perfect piece of Carver Granite over at the Federal Cranberry Company, to getting the words just right for the plaque…and of course finding the perfect location for the memorial. You have done your association and your community proud.
In closing I would like to speak to the location chosen for the memorial. I feel that it so appropriate for it to sit on this beautiful village green, in the shade of a tall white pine tree, less than 100 yards from the seat of our town’s government. It should serve as a reminder to all participants in our government. When our Town Administrator looks out his office window right here, or when a member of the Board of Selectmen gaze from a window over there….they will be reminded that FF Daniel F. Schlecht gave his life in the performance of his duty to this community…..and I think Danny would want this added….that there are 65 other Firefighters in the Carver Fire Department, who understand that they might make the same sacrifice for the people they serve, at any given moment in time.
Chief Dana Harriman, 2001
