5-5-5-5
Engine 258/Ladder 115
Line of Duty Deaths

FIREMAN PATRICK LENNON (Det. from E160)
Engine 158 (258)
December 1, 1904 (Injured November 26, 1904)
Box 99-44 Queens Co. Court House, Jackson Ave.
            Fireman Patrick Lennon was burned while working on the roof of the Queens Co. Court House. The fire started around noon in the third floor kitchen, and spread up through the mansard roof by a strong North wind. Working on the roof at the time of the fire there was twenty one workers who entered through a skylight and became trapped by the flames. An aerial ladder was raised and all twenty one workers came down without any injuries. Fireman Lennon who was detailed to Engine 158 was ordered up to the roof with other members. Lennon was up the ladder first and when he stepped onto the roof, flames enveloped him. Other firemen removed him from the roof and he was removed to a hospital. He had inhaled flames and was badly burnt. While in the hospital, his condition started to improve but took a turn for the worse and died on December 1st.

FIREMAN EDWARD J. KNAPP
Engine 258
July 7, 1927
Box 44-153  43-51 Purvis St.
Fireman Edward Knapp of Engine 258 was overcome by gas and died on the way to St. John's Hospital. He was operating at the ruins of the Manhattan Steam Bakery Co. at 43-51 Purvis Street. He died from carbon monoxide gas, having been created by the action of water on the hot ovens and the debris strewn about. Dr. Archer declared that Fireman Knapp's death was very unusual.

LIEUTENANT JAMES A. O'BRIEN (Det. from L116)
Engine 258
April 19, 1930 (Injured March 17, 1930)
In the quarters of Engine 258
Lieutenant James O'Brien of Hook & Ladder 116 died as the result of injuries he received at Engine 258's quarters. On March 17, while detailed to Engine 258, he suffered burns to the eyes and the face when he fell carrying a pail of water containing caustic soda. He died at his home from pnaumonia resulting from his injuries.

LIEUTENANT  JOHN W. SMITH  2
Ladder 115
June 18, 1933  (Injured May 19, 1933)
Box 7209  25-19 Borden Avenue
Lieutenant John W. Smith was injured when he fell from the first floor to the basement after forcing a door to search for the fire.  Other members of Ladder 115 heard him cry for help and ran to his aid.  He suffered cuts about the head and possibly a fractured skull.  He stayed in the hospital until June 16th at which time he went home.  He had a relapse and returned to the hospital and died.  He was 57 years and and a veteran of thirty years on the job.

FIREMAN MICHAEL BERENZ
Engine 258
October 22, 1957 (Injured January 26, 1957)
Box 7369 38th Ave. & 10th St.
At 11:20 pm after returning from a fire at 38-25 9th Street, Fireman Michael Berenz of Engine 258 complained of severe pains in the chest. Rescue 4 and a public ambulance were called to quarters and administered oxygen. Fireman Berenz was removed by ambulance to St. John's hospital. Doctor Hania in attendance diagnosis possible Coronary Thrombosis. He died 10 months later from a fatal heart attack.

FIREMAN FRANCIS X. EGAN
Ladder 115
October 26, 1962
Box 7027  56th Rd. & 48th St.
Firemen Richard Andrews, James Marino, Captain William Russell of Engine 325, Firemen Richard Gifford, George Zahn of Engine 238, and Fireman Francis Egan of Ladder 115, were killed by a falling wall during a fourth-alarm.  At least seven other firemen were inured.  The dead and injured firemen were trapped on the first floor of the factory, the Sefu Soap and Fat Co. at 44-15 56th Road in Maspeth.  The men were buried In 6 feet of debris as the wall and ceiling of the two story brick building fell.

FIREMAN GERARD T. GANLEY (Det. to E297)
Engine 258
July 13, 1978
Box 4553 20th Ave & 120th St.
Fireman Gerard T. Ganley of E258, was detailed to E297 pending transfer to that unit. E297 was special called to a brush fire at 20th Avenue. While assisting in the stretching of a line, Fireman Ganley was stricken with a heart attack. He was removed to Parsons Hospital but was dead on arrival. He had 18 years of service in the fire department.

LIEUTENANT JAMES E. CUTILLO (Bn. 33)
August 2, 1978
Brooklyn Box 3300 Ave. Y & E. 21st St.
Lieutenant James E. Cutillo was promoted to Lieutenant in 1976 after 13 years of service in Ladder Co. 115, and was a covering Lieutenant in the 33rd Battalion on August 2, 1978 when killed in a roof collapse at Brooklyn 4th Alarm box 3300, also known as the "Waldbaums Fire". Five other firemen were killed from Ladder 153 & Ladder 156.

BATTALION CHIEF WILLIAM McGOVERN (Bn. 2)
September 11, 2001
Manhattan Box 8087 West St & Vesey St
Chief William McGovern was promoted after serving as the Captain of Ladder 115, and was previously a Lieutenant in Engine 258. He responded to the World Trade Center on 9/11/01 assigned to Battalion 2.

L.I.C. Volunteer L.O.D.D.

FIREMAN MICHAEL RIGNEY
Jackson Hose No. 5
July 17, 1888
Vernon Boulevard, Ravenswood
“The new factory of the New York Architectural Terra-Cotta Company was only in business since April before it was wiped out by fire.  On Saturday, the workers had left the building around four o’clock in the afternoon and the night watchman was making his rounds around 10:30 that night when he discovered a fire on the top floor near the flues for the kilns.  He tried to put the fire out but could not.  The delayed alarm was sent out and the volunteer fire department responded.  The three engines, six hose, and three ladder companies were soon hard at work.  The closest hydrant was 1,000 feet away and hose lines were stretched to the fire.  Somebody cut the hose line at the hydrant and it had to be replaced with a new line of hose.  Fireman Michael Rigney of Jackson Hose 5 was on the west side of the boiler house directing a hose line when the wall fell on him and another fireman.  Both men were quickly pulled from the rubble.  Fireman Rigney suffered a hole in his head from a brick and a broken collarbone.  The skin on his right hand was ripped off and the right side of his body was badly burned from the hip down.  He was taken home and treated.  He died from his injuries on July 31, 1888.  The second fireman was from Hunter Engine 4 and only received a burned hand and a cut on his head.”