Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"The Ultimate Sacrifice"

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. "The Ultimate Sacrifice" Marker

Inscription. Near this spot on June 2, 1974, Captain Stanley Balsis and Firefighter Michael Whalen launched a rescue craft to save a man trapped in the boiling backwash at the base of the Kimball Street Dam. The frightened man, who rode an inflatable raft over the dam on a dare, clung precariously to the rubber vessel as the rescue boat approached. But as Balsis and Whalen drew near, the violent hydraulics of the rain-swollen river capsized their boat, trapping them as well. Ironically, the stranded rafter was able to grab hold of the firemen's boat, which shot out of the powerful undertow to safety. Firefighter Whalen struggled for several minutes before the weight and force of the churning water defeated him. Captain Balsis, battered and injured from the intense pounding, managed to cling bravely to the raft, which remained trapped in the backwash. He struggled for forty-five minutes, as his fellow firemen lined the bridge and both shores. Their repeated efforts to save him failed, and at 5:45 P.M., Captain Balsis succumbed, exhausted and able to fight no more. Captain Stanley Balsis and Firefighter Michael Whalen gave their lives

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on that day to save another man.
They Will Always Be Remembered As Elgin's Heroes.
This monument is dedicated to Firefighters everywhere who risk their lives for the safety of everyone.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Heroes • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1974.

Location. 42° 2.453′ N, 88° 17.303′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on Fox River Trail south of Kimball Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the Fox River Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fox River Trail, Elgin IL 60120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. "The Ultimate Sacrifice" Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gail Borden Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Pioneer Memorial Statue (about 300 feet away); W.R. Meadows, Inc. (about 400 feet away); Elgin Milk Condensing Company (about 500 feet away); Communication Station (about 700 feet away); James T. and Hezekiah Gifford (about 700 feet away); Elgin Wind Power and Pump Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Elgin Windmill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

"The Ultimate Sacrifice" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

3. "The Ultimate Sacrifice"

Bronze firefighter helmets flank both sides of this memorial.

Fox River Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

4. Fox River Trail

"The Ultimate Sacrifice" Marker is on the left side of the walkway, near the boat ramp entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 30 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.