DES MOINES, Iowa — Family, friends and the firefighter community in Iowa are honoring a longtime first responder, Mike Broderick.
In January, Broderick passed away at 51 years old after a battle with Stage Four liver cancer. As a firefighter and Iraq War veteran, he was well-known in the community and regarded as a hero for his years of duty.
"Mike was an absolutely incredible man for anyone who had the chance to know him," a Jan. 16 Facebook post from Des Moines Firefighters said. "Today, stations across the city are mourning the loss of a co-worker, a friend, an ally, and a brother. We lift the Broderick family in our thoughts and prayers this week."
He is survived by his wife, Emily, and their four daughters.
Broderick's visitation and funeral services were held Thursday at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.
"My mind wanders back to memories of a 16-year-old waitress who used to stand by the windows of a country club restaurant, gazing at a cute blonde who was out on the golf course. Despite my youthful naivety I knew you were the love of my life," said a pastor from the church on behalf of Broderick's wife.
In November 2023, Broderick's family's mortgage was paid off entirely by Building Homes for Heroes.
"Mike, his whole adult life has been giving back to the community and the country. Mike has always stepped up and answered the call when others needed help and he's always done it quietly and professionally," firefighter Tyler Mark told Local 5 in November.
Broderick's death coincided with the Des Moines Fire Department's ongoing campaign to secure better benefits for firefighters who develop cancer.
While there are hundreds of diagnosable cancers, Iowa law only provides firefighters presumed disability coverage for 14 types of cancer. CDC research suggests firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers in comparison to the general public, likely due to their exposure to smoke and hazardous chemicals on the job.
According to the Des Moines Fire Department, at least 10 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer since 2018.
The department previously shared a video of Broderick filmed before his death where he talked about his diagnosis.
"It's a crazy deal," he said in the video. "I lived a healthy lifestyle, worked out, did all the things you're supposed to be doing right. It's just a bad set of circumstances, cards that you're dealt."