The procession will begin in New Haven and end at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford. Author: Rick Lessard (FOX61), Dave Puglisi Published: 8:44 PM EDT May 19, 2021 Updated: 10:42 PM EDT May 19, 2021
NEW HAVEN, Conn. Ricardo Torres Jr. will be laid to rest Thursday with a church procession that will begin in New Haven and then end in Hartford.
“We are hurting right now and it doesn’t get any better,” said New Haven Fire Department Union President Pat Cannon. “I just want to make sure that we can carry ourselves tomorrow to make sure that our brother goes out honorably and as a hero that he is.”
May 20, 2021
iHeartCommunities to dedicate day to New Haven Fire Department. May God Bless FF Ricardo Rico Torres, thank you for your service. While we honor Torres, we want to wish Lt Rankins a speedy recovery, as he was also found unconscious during that same fire and is recovering at Bridgeport Hospital..
New Haven firefighter Ricardo Torres was killed fighting a house fire on Valley Street on May 12. Torres left behind a wife, a young son, and another baby on the way, along with a legacy of service and sacrifice.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said he expects to be between 3,000 and 8,000 people in New Haven on Thursday in support of Torres and his family.
“I just want to make sure that we can carry ourselves tomorrow, to make sure our brother comes out honorably as the hero that he is,” said Patrick Cannon, president of Local 825.
Fire Chief John Alston said he wanted to be sure the more than 300 firefighters in the department could attend the funeral service for Torres, so there will be many out-of-town crews and trucks serving the city.
“That was important so that we maintained coverage and that we also allow for our members - any of our members who needed either counseling or support or to be at any of the services - allow them to freedom to grieve,” Alston said.
Fallen firefighter to be laid to rest Thursday
New Haven firefighter Ricardo Torres was killed fighting a house fire on Valley Street on May 12.
A procession left the New Haven Fire Department and arrived at St. Mary’s Church just after 10 a.m.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said he expects to be between 3,000 and 8,000 people in New Haven on Thursday in support of Torres and his family.
“We have seen an outpouring of support from the community around Connecticut and across the nation,” Elicker said.
Torres was 30 years old.
Family, friends, and firefighters from around the country are gathering to honor his memory.
A New Haven firefighter who dreamed of being a member of his hometown fire department as a 2-year-old child, and tragically lost his life in a blaze last week, will be laid to rest in Hartford today following a procession and church service in New Haven.