Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff In Honor of
New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr.
Posted on May 12, 2021
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr., who died in the line of duty while responding to a residential fire early this morning.
Flags should be lowered immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time.
“On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I send my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr.,” Governor Lamont said. “Today’s tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that firefighters face each and every day when responding to emergencies. Firefighter Torres is a hero, who dedicated his life to the safety of the people of New Haven. My thoughts are also with the firefighters who were injured while responding to this emergency, and I pray for their speedy recovery.”
“We grieve for the tragic loss of Firefighter Torres,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “He sacrificed his life for the lives of others. His bravery and courage in service to his community and our state will always be remembered. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and the New Haven Fire Department.”
The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full-staff.
|
 |
| FF. Torres, NHFD |
|
Area Fire Departments Covered NHFD for Firefighter Torres' Thursday Funeral
.
According to Chief Gary Merwede, the Hamden Fire Department was part of the historic 30-hour coverage of the City of New Haven by area career fire departments to permit all New Haven fire personnel to participate in the funeral of Firefighter Ricardo Torres Jr., who died Wednesday morning, May 12th, while rescuing occupants from a Valley Street house fire.
.
For the calling hours, from approximately 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday May 19th, and all day Thursday May 20th, a total of ten engine and four truck companies from neighboring career departments covered in at New Haven fire stations as all NHFD personnel are released for Firefighter Torres' funeral.
.
Retired Asst. Chief Clark Hurlburt notified the website that at least thirty-plus active and retired HFD personnel were present outside St. Mary's Church. In addition to Asst. Chief Hurlburt were retired Asst. Chief Bob Surprise, retired B/Cs Bill Fitzmaurice and Sam DeBurra, B/Cs Spencer and Desroches, and numerous other active and retired HFD officers and firefighters - "an amazing turnout." See group photo below.
.
.
The thoughts and prayers of the members of the HFRA are with the Torres family and our brothers and sisters at the New Haven Fire Department.
.
.Revised 5/22/2021 - 1904 hrs
|
 |
| Contingent of active and retired HFD - CLICK to enlarge image (B/C Fitzmaurice FB posting) |
|
|
Attention HFD Members
NHFD LODD FF. Riccardo Torres
Wake: Wednesday May 19, 2021, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Iovanne Funeral Home
.
This event is private for family close friends and the New Haven Fire Dept:
Funeral Service:
May 20,2021 10:00am
St. Mary’s Church
5 Hillhouse Ave.
New Haven CT
Church seating is reserved for family, NHFD and invitees.
.
Members will not be admitted to the Church and are to assemble outside the Church. FDNY Funeral Honor Guard will assign visiting firefighters to designated holding pens. Burial will be private for family and NHFD Personnel at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford
.
Uniform of the Day - Class A
.
There will be a Sea of Blue March for NHFD members and retirees. They are to fully assembled at New Haven Fire Dept. Headquarters on Grand Ave. for the march to the Church.
All non-NHFD Personnel are to park at Sports Haven to board shuttles to St. Mary’s Church !
Shuttles will run 8am – 9:45am to St Mary’s. Return to Sports Haven 11am -12:30pm
|
 |
| On Wednesday, Engine 1 covered in at the "Dixwell Station," corner of Webster and Goffe Streets. The station opened in the mid-1970s, replacing the old quarters for Engine 6 and Truck 4 on Dixwell Avenue, and Engine 3 at Park and Elm Streets. |
|
|
 |
| On Thursday, Engine 1 covered in at NHFD Station 8 on Whitney Avenue. Left to right are Capt. Ed Evers, Firefighters Will Heiney, Sam DeBurra Jr., Paul Anderson, and Lt./Training Officer Rich Lennon. Station 8 opened in 1962, replacing the old quarters for Engine 8 and Truck 6 on Edwards Street and Engine 14 on Highland Street. |
|
|
 |
| An unidentified member of the Branford Fire Department checking out that department's heavy rescue unit, Rescue 1. on the ramp of Station 8. |
|
|
 |
| These gentlemen of the HFD joined with North Haven and East Haven firefighters at I-91's Bailey Street overpass in North Haven to salute Ff. Torres' funeral cortege as it headed north to Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford. Left to right are Ff. Fred "Chick" Manware (Ret.), Lt. K.P. Martin, Lt. Jeff Woodford, Ff. Gary Greene, Ff. Don Pazcowski, Fire Insp. Paul Turner, and Lt/Training Officer Rich Lennon. |
|
|
 |
| "Sea of Blue" awaiting Ff. Torres' funeral procession outside New Haven's historic St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, where the Knights of Columbus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney on March 29, 1882. |
|
|
 |
| Another view, at the church steps. |
|
|
 |
| CLICK PHOTO FOR VIDEO |
|
|
 |
| CLICK PHOTO FOR VIDEO |
|
|
HFRA President and retired HFD Lt. Bob Mordecai shot these two videos. The first video is the arrival of the New Haven Fire Department funeral procession for Firefighter Ricardo Torres at New Haven's historic St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Hillhouse Avenue. Pipers play "Amazing Grace" as six pallbearers carry Ff. Torres' casket into the church. The second video is of active and retired Hamden, North Haven, and East Haven firefighters saluting the funeral cortege as it passed beneath the Bailey Road overpass of I-91 on its way to Ff. Torres' burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.
.
.
Posted 5/21/2021 - 1850
|
Retired Asst. Chief Clark Hurlburt reports that at least thirty-plus active and retired HFD personnel were present outside St. Mary's Church. In addition to Asst. Chief Hurlburt were retired Asst. Chief Bob Surprise, retired B/C Bill Fitzmaurice, B/Cs Spencer and Desroches, and numerous other active and retired HFD officers and firefighters - "an amazing turnout." We would appreciate any photos.
.
Posted 5/22/2021 - 1904 hrs.
|
|
