Volunteer firefighters respond to many tragic events during the course of their careers, but the motorcycle crash in Ledyard on Monday hit home for the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Norwich, when members quickly learned that the victim was a "member of the family."

Ledyard Police Tuesday identified the victim in Monday’s fatal motorcycle accident as 37-year-old Eric B. Retherford of 495 Laurel Hill Road, Apt. 17E, Norwich, a seven-year member of the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Retherford was pronounced deceased at the scene of a 7:26 p.m. Monday head-on crash on Route 117 at Thomas Road.

Police said their initial investigation determined Retherford, operating a 2010 Harley Davidson, was traveling south on Route 117 when the motorcycle crossed the double yellow centerline and struck the front of a Honda CRV, which was traveling north.

Police said he was not wearing a helmet. He was found unresponsive by emergency medical personnel.

The accident remains under investigation and any witnesses are asked to contact Ledyard Officer Troy Johnson at (860) 464-8225.

Laurel Hill Fire Chief Aaron Westervelt said he received a call through the Norwich dispatch center that the motorcycle rider was wearing his Laurel Hill T-shirt at the time of the crash.

Westervelt went immediately to the scene and offered what assistance he could.

Then Westervelt, his wife and fellow firefighter Teri Westervelt and Deputy Chief Edward Martin drove to the Mohegan Sun, where Retherford's wife, Megan Retherford, works.

Megan Retherford also is a firefighter at the Laurel Hill department.

"We see this stuff every day, but when it hits home like this, it's really tough," Westervelt said.

"This is a name and a face and a friend and a brother," Martin added. "The fire department is a family."

On Tuesday evening, firefighters and family members gathered at the Laurel Hill Department to comfort Retherford's family — his grown daughter, Precious, is a new member of the department as well — and one another as the shock turned to grief and remembrance.

Retherford also has four young children under age 10.

Members draped black bunting over doors and lowered the department's flag to half-staff.

On a display sign on the front of the buildings, new letters were positioned: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Retherford family. Rest in peace Eric."

Family members told Westervelt they wanted "privacy and time to grieve," Westervelt said.

The department will assist with services or fundraisers in whatever way the family wishes, the chief said.

Several veteran firefighters and department officers recalled their interviews with Retherford when he applied to become a member seven years earlier and how he grew to be among the most respected and trusted firefighters, achieving the rank of firefighter II.

He was in training to become a state certified firetruck driver, Martin said.

"I'd go with in with him anytime," firefighter Isaac Elton said.

Andrew Daigle, fire department president, said Retherford was a hit with firefighters' young children, playing with infants and toddlers as recently as last week.

During Hurricane Sandy, Laurel Hill Captain Corry Aanerud called Retherford and Daigle for help when a large tree started to split near his house. The crew rigged a chain to secure the tree during the thick of the storm. The tree and the chain still are there, Aanerud said.

"He became a better person for having joined, and we became a better department," said Aanerud, who was among those who interviewed Retherford when he applied to join the department.

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