Columbus, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) recently held its 16th annual Fallen Workers Memorial to honor 103 Ohioans who died because of a workplace illness or accident.
In a tribute that was also broadcast on The Ohio Channel, BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud led the ceremony from BWC headquarters in downtown Columbus.
Administrator McCloud opened the program with a video message from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who said, “The Ohio Fallen Workers’ Memorial serves as a reminder. A reminder that life is precious, and we should do everything in our power to ensure every Ohioan returns home from the job, healthy and safe.”
“This annual ceremony allows us to mourn the loss of those who have fallen and to reflect on the memories of their lives and legacy,” added Administrator McCloud. “Also, please know the loss of any person on the job is the reason we continue to make workplace safety our mission.”
BWC Board of Directors Chair Suzanne Kiggin, Board Directors Peggy Griffith and Jon Harvey, Ohio Industrial Commission (IC) Chairman Jim Hughes, and Ohio AFL/CIO President Tim Burga also participated in the ceremony.
Freddie Johnson, BWC’s chief of medical services and compliance, joined BWC staff/union delegates Jolene McGhee and Brian Trinckes to read the names of the fallen. BWC Board Director Harvey ended the ceremony with three tolls of BWC’s Memorial Bell.
Please note: This ceremony honors workers whose death claims were approved since the previous year’s ceremony. The 2026 roll of the fallen includes 39 allowed claims with dates of death in the last policy year (7/1/25 – 6/30/26) and 64 allowed claims with dates of death that fell within the past several policy years and were not included in previous memorials.
Source: Ohio BWC