SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — The City of Salem will withdraw its appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court regarding benefits to the family of longtime firefighter Mo Stadeli, who died in 2019 from job-related cancer.

The move comes after hundreds of firefighters and community members rallied outside city hall Monday evening.

  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli gathered inside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli rally outside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli rally outside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli rally outside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli rally outside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli rally outside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
    Salem firefighters and friends of Mo Stadeli rally outside Salem City Hall to get the city to pay his death benefits to his widow, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
  • Salem City Manager Keith Stahley announced during a council meeting that the city will withdraw its appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court regarding Salem firefighter Mo Stadeli. (KOIN)

“I’m very sorry for all the harm we’ve caused to Mo’s spouse,” said Salem Mayor Chris Hoy.

City Manager Keith Stahley made the announcement at a meeting Monday night, a decision met by applause from those in attendance.

“After receiving further input from city council earlier this evening, I have directed City Attorney Dan Atchison to withdraw the petition to the Oregon Supreme Court to review the decision,” he said.

After serving the City of Salem for 28 years, Firefighter Maurice “Mo” Stadeli, was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer in 2018 and died in 2019.

Salem, OR challenging firefighter's line of duty death benefits for spouse
After serving the City of Salem for 28 years, Firefighter Maurice “Mo” Stadeli died from tonsillar cancer in 2019, which was deemed a line of duty death, according to the Oregon State Firefighter’s Council. (Courtesy Oregon State Fire Fighter’s Council).
Tina Stadelli is the widow of Mo Stadelli, a Salem firefighter who died in 2018. She is fighting to get his benefits from Salem city officials, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)
Tina Stadelli is the widow of Mo Stadelli, a Salem firefighter who died in 2018. She is fighting to get his benefits from Salem city officials, September 25, 2023 (KOIN)

Following Stadeli’s death, the fire fighter’s council says Stadeli’s widow, Tina, was denied death benefit claims from the city before the Oregon Appellate Court recognized Stadeli’s death was due to occupational cancer and his death was classified as a line of duty death in 2021.

“I was kind of blown away by it. I was expecting them to say they would take it into consideration,” Tina said.