City of Troy Fire Department
Line of Duty Deaths
(Thanks to Retired Assistant Chief Craig LeRoy for this compilation)
Clark S. Segmann, died as a result of cold exposure at Joseph Britnall’s Soap and Candle Factory, 419 River St. Fire was 0330, Jan 10, 1835 and also spread to 417 and 421 River St. Firefighters had to leave scene of Read, Armstrong & Co. Brewery which came in one half hour earlier and was apparently also a total loss. The temperature was eighteen below zero.
Peter Dunn, was fatally injured when run over by Torrent Engine Co. No. 4’s hand engine while descending the hill on Congress St. while responding to a barn fire on W. side of alley (Williams St.) between 4th and 5th Sts. (Avenues) north of Elbow St. (Fulton St.) at 1930, Dec. 15, 1844. He passed away that night.
William F. Bradley, 19, fell, and was run over by the Premier Engine Co. No. 1 Hose Cart in State St. in front of the Post Office, while returning from a mutual aid to West Troy which occurred at 2200, Aug. 6, 1845 and destroyed a dozen buildings on Champlain and Union Streets, South of the Erie Canal Side Cut. He died in the street by loss of blood on during the early hours of Aug. 7, 1845
Thomas H. Pierce, 22, of Neptune Engine Co. No. 2 was killed by a wall collapse while operating a line at an incendiary fire in Haight and Gillespie Wholesale Grocers, 269 River St. at 0730, Dec. 25, 1851. The alarm had been raised at 0215 Hrs.
Thomas Graham, 21, of Torrent Engine Co. No. 4, was killed while responding to an incendiary fire at Seaman’s Shoe Store, 131 Congress St. at 0630, Feb. 1, 1860 when his skull was crushed between the runaway hand engine and a barber pole in front of Carpenter’s Hotel at the corner of Congress and 6th Streets.
David L. Blakely, 22, of Trojan Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, died on May 3, 1868, never having regained consciousness from asphyxia suffered at a fire at Waters & Sons Paper Box Factory, 305 River St. on Apr. 29, 1868.
William S. Wilkes, 30, of Arba Read Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1, was killed while responding to an alarm from Box 3 when he jumped from the hose cart, fell, and was run over by the hose cart. Jul. 22, 1873,
Engineer Michael Gillen, 40, of Charles Eddy Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 4, died of cardiac failure during response to 2-2 Box 54 transmitted 1847, Jun. 22, 1890 For Hutton’s Livery Stable 103 3rd St.. Engineer Gillen reportedly had suffered heart trouble since suffering a fall at a fire 5 years previously.
Charles A. Cook, 22, of Trojan Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, bled to death after being struck in the neck by a pike axe wielded by another firefighter at Box 132, transmitted for a barn fire at Jefferson and Union Streets. At 0139, Jul. 27, 1900.
Dr. Harry O. Fairweather, of Arba Read Steam Fire Co. No. 1, died of a fractured skull on Apr. 8, 1909. He was injured when a ground ladder broke at Box 54 which had been sounded for fire in a cigar store at 95 Congress St. at 0015, Apr. 6, 1909.
Anthony Vielkind, 23, of Truck Co. No. 2, died of a ruptured spleen after attempting to jump on the side of the truck while it descended the North slope of the Poestenkill Bridge on 3rd St. He slipped and was dragged by the truck and died shortly after. Responding to false alarm from Box 54, 0030, Dec. 2, 1900.
Lieutenant Edward J. Butler, of Truck Co. No. 2, died of suffocation and skull fracture from collapse of Woolworth 5&10 Cent Store on River St. at 2-2 Box 41, sounded for Boardman Building (Boston Store) fire at 0518, Jan. 26, 1911.
Henry P. O’Bryan, 29, of Arba Read Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1, died on Apr. 29, 1913, from coronary occlusion secondary to a fractured leg suffered in an explosion with collapse at 2-2 Box 41, struck for a fire in the Thorne Hold-Fast Metal Co. on Front St. between Grand and Fulton Sts. The fire began at 2240, Apr. 1, 1913.
Battalion Chief William Bailey Jr. died at 0240, Apr. 18, 1917 from being crushed by bricks from an ammonia explosion while fighting fire at the Mohican Market, 365-7 River St. 2-2 Box 34. First alarm received 2100, Apr. 17, 1917.
William J. Hoar, of Trojan Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, crushed to death by bricks in above explosion Apr. 18, 1917.
Albert DeCourville, of Hugh Rankin Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 2, Crushed to death by bricks in above explosion Apr. 18, 1917.
Joseph P. McCann, Engine Co. 1, suffocated to death when floor of Rome & Cohen Rag Shop, between River & 1st Sts. South of Washington St., collapsed during fire for which Boxes 121 and 124 were transmitted at 1345, May 1, 1922. Collapse occurred at 1415. This was Ff. McCann’s first fire, his appointment was one month, to the day, earlier.
Lieutenant William J. Christopher, Engine Co. No. 1, Suffocated to death in above collapse. May 1, 1922.
J. Kenneth Flinton, 32, Engine Co. No. 1, died of cerebral edema following an accident where a life net broke during a Fire Prevention Week demonstration at the Gay Building, State and 3rd Sts. 1400, Oct. 11, 1928.
Patrick A. Dougherty, 58, Engine Co. No. 7, died of cardiac arrest after arriving at Box 76 transmitted for a structure fire on Pawling Ave. 2135, Apr. 22, 1934.
Captain Matthew W. Casey, 50, Engine Co. No. 5, died of cardiac arrest while operating a line with his company at 2-2 Box 224, the City Hall fire, 0330, Oct. 28, 1938.
William J. Walsh, 45, of Engine Co. No. 1, died of fractured neck May 3, 1944, injury sustained when he fell from apparatus at the Poestenkill Bridge on 3rd St. while responding to Second Alarm Box 166, Troy Chain Works, 1 Tyler St. sounded at 1434, May 2, 1944.
Capt. James L. Fitzgerald, 60, of Engine Co. No. 12, died at 0700 of anoxia and heart failure while engaged in interior structural fire fighting on the Speigletown Rd., time of alarm, 0616, Feb. 4, 1946.
Capt. John T. Dwyer, 58, Engine Co. No. 7, died of coronary occlusion on Apr. 18, 1956 after being stricken at a brush fire on Carroll Hill at 1743, Apr. 11, 1956.
Capt. William V. Ryan, 45, Truck Co. No. 2, died of cardiac failure while engaged in interior structural fire fighting at Box 192, for 215 Stow Ave. at 1648, Apr. 17, 1958.
Capt. Edward J. Driscoll, 58, of Truck Co. No. 2, died of cardiac failure upon coming into contact with a live electrical wire while engaged in interior structural fire fighting at Box 157 transmitted for 327 1st St. 0930, Dec. 7, 1967.