Family, friends and fellow fighters of Captain Joseph M. Liedel

Joseph Michael Liedel was born in Monroe, Michigan on May 5, 1972. After graduation from Monroe High School in 1990, Joe began working security at Ford Motor Company. He would later work with his mother, Cynthia, and stepfather, Jack, in their family business, American Real Estate Appraisal. Several years later, Joe began to follow his true passion in life, following in his father, James Liedel’s, footsteps and he became a firefighter.

Joe joined the Monroe Charter Township Fire Department as a member of its Fire Explorer Program. Joe served on the fire department for 28 years, selflessly responding to tens of thousands of incidents in Monroe County earning the trust and respect of his colleagues. In 2001, Joe traveled to New York City with fellow Monroe Township firefighters to assist at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. During his career he served as a lieutenant and was promoted to the rank of captain in April, 2019.

Joe was a true gentleman with a great sense of humor. A military buff, he was extremely knowledgeable about American history. He enjoyed target shooting and had participated with Civil War reenactments with his uncle for many years, even traveling to Gettysburg, PA, for events.

On July 31, 2020, at the age of 48, Joe suffered a brain bleed while responding to an emergency call with the fire department. His neighbors’ dog, Margo, found him collapsed in his yard and summoned help. Joe was quickly provided the finest care available, but his injury was too great, and he passed away from complications on August 23, 2020 at Promedica Toledo Hospital. At his passing Joe continued to be a hero to others by giving the gift of life as an organ donor.

“Establishing the Captain Joseph M. Liedel Memorial Scholarship has been a tremendous honor for myself and my family, Dana Trowbridge-Mette, Joe’s cousin shared. “With this fund, we hope to carry on Captain Liedel’s legacy for many years to come while providing the opportunity to Monroe County firefighters, and their families, to pursue and excel in their education.”