Fall River to honor deceased Worcester Firefighter

Fall River plans to honor fallen Worcester Firefighter Lt. Jason Menard who was killed in the line of duty early Wednesday morning.

Beginning this evening, Government Center will be illuminated in red as a tribute to Menard.

Recently elected Fall River city councilor Christopher Peckham approached acting mayor Cliff Ponte Jr Friday morning about the lights after learning about the Chelsea Police Department lighting their city hall in Menards honor. Peckham, a correctional officer for the Massachusetts Department of Correction and long-time advocate for public safety, stated that when he contacted Ponte, he also liked the idea. Peckham and Ponte partnered with Director of Media Relations Monica Sousa to make it happen.

Fall River Firefighters Union President Jason Burns believes this is a painful time for firefighters and applauded everyone involved in the decision. “I think City Hall being lit up in red to honor Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard is a powerful and significant show of support for our brothers. That connection we share, that sense of appreciation, that support you show, it all goes a long way in helping us heal.”

Lt Menard had been trapped on the third floor of a home on Stockholm Street early Wednesday morning while searching for an infant and other residents. Lt Menard became disoriented and died while saving two of his brother firefighters.

The Worcester Fire Department has experienced more than its fair share of loss. The department lost Firefighter Christopher Roy almost a year ago as well as Firefighter John Davies in 2011. These deaths follow the tragedy in 1999 known as the Worcester Cold Storage fire, which claimed the lives of six firefighters. Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. James Lyons, and Firefighters Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, and Joseph McGuirk were lost in that December blaze.