Fallen Buffalo Fire Fighters Remembered

August 28, 2009 – Thousands of fire fighters, family and friends paid their final respects to two dedicated Buffalo, NY Local 282 fire fighters. Charles McCarthy, 45, and Jonathan Croom, 34, made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a deli fire in the early morning hours of August 24.

A processional of fire service apparatus and fire fighters escorted both McCarthy and Croom from the funeral homes, past their firehouses, to St. Joseph’s Old Cathedral in Buffalo. McCarthy’s services were held at 9:30 a.m., with Croom’s following at 1:00 p.m. A collation honoring both fire fighters was held at the HSBC Arena following the services.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger presented the families of the two fallen fire fighters with IAFF Medals of Honor.

Speaking about McCarthy, General President Schaitberger commended his family’s long dedication to the fire service. “A proud second generation fire fighter, he followed in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps 22 years ago into the Buffalo Fire Department. And by all accounts, ‘Chip’ made his own way and left his own legacy.”

McCarthy was assigned to Rescue 1 and was “respected as a leader among alpha dogs,” continued Schaitberger. “He was committed, duty-bound, ready to serve in the hardest and most rewarding job imaginable as an officer in one of this [Buffalo Fire] Department’s elite units.”

And of Croom, Schaitberger said, “Beloved by those he worked alongside at Ladder 7, he received what is the most important compliment you can receive on our job, and that’s one from your own crew who tells us he was a good solid fire fighter and he will sorely be missed.”

McCarthy and Croom were among the fire fighters who responded to the Super Speedy Deli fire. The two entered the first floor of the two-story structure after witnesses reported hearing cries for help from inside. Shortly after, the floor collapsed and both fire fighters fell into the basement. Other responding fire fighters were unable to rescue the downed fire fighters before they both lost their lives. Autopsy results say they died of smoke inhalation.

Despite the reports of someone trapped inside, fire investigators say no additional remains have been found at the fire scene. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

McCarthy is survived by his wife Terri; daughters Stephanie and Shannon; son Charles; granddaughter Taliana; father Charles W. Sr.; mother Marilyn McCarthy; and brother Dan McCarthy.

Croom is survived by his daughter Joanna; parents Jonathan Croom and Maria Heusinger; fiancée Ingrid Perugachi; brothers Gabriel and Beau Croom; and grandmother Ana Diaz.