A Cortland volunteer firefighter who died in the line of duty in 2002 will be among 19 firefighters honored this week at a national service.

Diana Rosene died in a car accident on her way home from CPR training Feb. 27, 2002. She will be honored at the 28th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

"She was a very nice person, very dedicated," said Jerry Vrbka, assistant chief of the Cortland Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department.

Rosene, 47, was headed to her rural home after attending CPR recertification course at the Cortland Community Center. She was about to make the final turn to her house when her van was rear-ended by an SUV driven by Michael McCullough of Firth.

"It was just terrible. We were all together and we had that happen," Vrbka said. "... She was just a key member of our department."

Connie Gates, the department's medical training officer this year, said Rosene joined the department in 1989 and wore many hats, including secretary, historian and medical training and safety officer.

"She was always enthusiastic and always trying to get new members to join the department," Gates said.

McCullough was sentenced to a year's probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay nearly $9,000 restitution for misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide.

"She was probably one of the first volunteer firefighters to be killed in the line of duty in Nebraska, especially one of the first females," Gates said of Rosene.

Members of her family plan to attend the service in Maryland, Gates said.

Soon after her death, the Rosene family donated money for a new rock sign in front of the fire station and a flag pole to honor fallen firefighters.

A plaque inside the station honors her dedication and years of service as a volunteer firefighter.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.