In Honor of Joe Ford, a Community Comes Together to Save Lives

On Saturday, February 14, the Kokomo community is invited to take part in an event rooted in love, remembrance, and the hope of preventing future tragedy.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Steve Ford and his family will host a free carbon monoxide detector giveaway event at Soremouth Tackle, located at 1500 N Reed Rd in Kokomo. The event is being held in honor of Steve’s son, Joseph “Joe” Ford, whose life was tragically cut short one year ago due to carbon monoxide poisoning during an ice fishing accident.

More than 1,600 carbon monoxide detectors will be given away, far exceeding the family’s original goal of 1,000, with even more expected before the event. Each detector will be free and accompanied by safety information and a memorial sticker bearing Joe’s name.

This event exists for one reason. To protect lives by sharing Joe’s story and raising awareness about a danger many people do not realize exists outside the home.

What follows is that story.

A Morning That Changed Everything

On January 26, 2025, a 16 year old boy was found unconscious and unresponsive inside an ice fishing shanty on a private pond near Russiaville. Emergency responders were called at approximately 9:34 a.m., and despite efforts to save him, the outcome was devastating.

That young man was Joseph Ford.

Joe never woke up.

After an investigation by the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and the Howard County Coroner’s Office, Joe’s death was ruled accidental. The cause was acute carbon monoxide toxicity. He had been using a propane heater overnight to keep warm while ice fishing, unaware that the invisible gas being produced was silently filling the enclosed space.

For Joe’s father, Steve Ford, the reality of that moment is something that still feels unreal.

“Just finding out that your child’s gone, it makes you sick to your stomach,” Steve said. “You think about all these things that could happen. He was 16. Did he get in a car accident? The last thing on my mind was carbon monoxide.”

Who Joe Was Beyond the Headlines

Before tragedy defined his story publicly, Joe Ford was known simply as Joe.

“Joe was an avid outdoorsman,” Steve shared. “He loved all types of hunting, especially waterfowl.”

Joe lived outside whenever he could.

“Joe spent every day outdoors,” his dad said. “He was the first one up and the last one out.”

He was a sophomore at Kokomo High School and an eight year member of Howard County 4 H. Joe loved working with swine and alfalfa projects and serving as a 4 H camp counselor. He was passionate about welding and was a student at the Kokomo Area Career Center, building skills for a future he was excited about.

Joe loved music and spent time playing guitar. He dreamed of a career in guide services. He took pride in his GMC truck and cared for it meticulously. Most importantly, he loved his siblings deeply.

“He loved his siblings and was a great brother,” Steve said. “He would help anyone who needed it.”

Those who knew Joe remember his kindness, his work ethic, and his smile. A smile that felt genuine. A smile that made people feel welcome.

Learning to Live With Loss

Grief, Steve explains, does not arrive neatly.

“Every day has honestly been different,” he said. “Grief doesn’t always feel the same. Day to day, good memories as well as the bad ones.”

Joe’s presence is still felt everywhere.

“There are so many reminders of him all the time,” Steve shared. “There are so many good memories, but some days the loss covers them up.”

The Ford family made a decision early on to speak Joe’s name often and openly.

“We talk about him daily,” Steve said. “It’s important to us that our kids know it’s okay to talk about him whenever they want to.”

Joe is not hidden away in silence. He remains part of the family, part of conversations, part of everyday life.

The Danger No One Saw Coming

Like many families, the Fords associated carbon monoxide danger with homes.

“We wish we had talked more about the dangers of a propane heater,” Steve said. “Joe knew to use caution, but sometimes that isn’t enough.”

Carbon monoxide is often overlooked in outdoor settings, even though the risk can be just as serious.

“The biggest thing is that the ones used outdoors are different than in the home,” Steve explained. “It’s important to do your research before using one.”

He added, “When hunting or fishing, the tents or blinds aren’t always ventilated enough, and it’s important to be aware of that.”

Since Joe’s passing, Steve has learned how common misunderstandings are.

“Again, research,” he said. “Know what you’re buying and how to properly use it.”

According to the CDC, more than 400 people in the United States die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. Joe’s story is a painful reminder that those statistics represent real families and real children.

Turning Grief Into an Event That Saves Lives

At some point in the past year, Steve knew he had to speak up.

“I knew I didn’t ever want to watch anyone else go through this,” he said.

What began as conversations with friends and family turned into action. Steve started making phone calls, sharing Joe’s story, and talking about carbon monoxide safety.

“If one person takes a detector and it saves them, all of this advocating will be worth it,” he said.

The idea grew faster than he expected.

“The community slowly got involved,” Steve said. “Businesses and individuals wanted to help.”

Then came support on a larger scale.

“Before I knew it, Kidde was emailing me with a donation,” he shared.

The result is the Joe Ford Carbon Monoxide Detector Giveaway Event, happening February 14 at Soremouth Tackle, one of Joe’s favorite places.

“Soremouth Tackle was one of Joe’s favorite places to go,” Steve said. “There isn’t a business in Kokomo who hasn’t wanted to be a part of this and help in any way they can.”

Why This Event Matters

Each detector given away represents a chance to prevent another family from living this pain.

“Though they aren’t going to break the bank for some, I know there are those who put these things on the back burner for later,” Steve said. “Things like this don’t always seem super important to have.”

He continued, “I want those in my community to get one even if they don’t think they need one, because you truly never know.”

Steve hopes people will use the detectors everywhere.

“Our hope is that if people don’t have them in the home, they put them up,” he said. “If they go hunting or fishing, they take it with them. If they are working in the garage with a heater to keep warm, they use it there as well.”

The Joe Ford Legacy Fund

All proceeds from the Joe Ford Legacy Fund go directly toward purchasing carbon monoxide detectors. After this giveaway, the fund will pause until the next initiative begins.

“There will never be a time we don’t keep Joe’s memory alive,” Steve said. “Through this, we can share his story.”

“He would want us to continue to educate and help others from experiencing anything like this.”

Those who wish to support the mission can donate at joeford.org.

A Message Steve Hopes You Remember

Steve’s message to the community is simple, but urgent.

“Don’t take anyone or anything for granted,” he said. “Carbon monoxide deaths are 100 percent preventable if you take the time to learn.”

And for anyone reading this today.

“Besides coming to our giveaway for their free detector, just be cautious when around anything that has the possibility of producing carbon monoxide.”

Joe Ford should still be here.

He should be planning his future, chasing early mornings outdoors, and coming home with stories from another long day doing what he loved. Instead, his life has become a reminder of how fragile time is and how easily tragedy can strike when we least expect it.

In honoring Joe, his family has chosen to speak when silence would be easier. They have chosen to educate when retreat would be understandable. And they have chosen to turn unimaginable loss into action that may save someone else’s life.

Through this event, through every detector handed out, and through every conversation sparked by Joe’s story, his legacy continues. Not only in memory, but in lives protected and families spared from the same heartbreak.

Joe is deeply missed. He is deeply loved. And through the efforts of his family and community, he will never be forgotten.