ALEXANDRIA — A 24-year-old U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter died in the line of duty last week after being struck by a tree while battling a wildfire in the Kisatchie National Forest.

Kaitlyn “KK” Gallagher of Alexandria was responding to the Broken Creek Fire in Rapides Parish on Wednesday, Oct. 14, when the incident occurred. The 10-acre wildfire has since been fully contained.

“The loss of KK is deeply felt throughout the Forest Service, the entire wildland fire community, and our local community,” Forest Supervisor Lisa Lewis said.

Gallagher joined the Forest Service in 2025 as a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice, serving two summers on the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming before joining the Kisatchie National Forest. Beyond her fire service, she was an active youth leader at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church and coached girls' basketball and softball at Holy Savior Menard High School.

To honor Gallagher, a flag-raising ceremony was held Tuesday morning. 

A public procession and memorial service will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21. at 9:45 a.m. The escorted procession will leave Kramer Funeral Home and travel down Masonic Drive. The memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Divine Providence Center beginning at 11 a.m.

The public is invited to line the processional route in support of the Gallagher family. Further tribute information is available on Kramer Funeral Home's website.