New London firefighters remember Lt. John O'Connor

February 01, 2024 5:31 pm • Last Updated: February 01, 2024 6:53 pm

By Sarah Gordon
Staff Photographer

Family, retired firefighters, and members of the New London Fire Department talk following a memorial for the late Lt. John O’Connor at New London Fire Department South Station on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. On Feb. 1, 1993, O’Connor died of a heart attack while responding to a fire at 91 Truman St. that also took the lives of three people trapped inside the home. As a memorial, the department had special stickers and etching of his name and badge number on the windows of a new Engine 3 that was delivered earlier in the week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Attendees take photos of etchings on the windows of a new fire truck during a memorial for the late Lt. John O’Connor at New London Fire Department South Station Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. On Feb. 1, 1993, O’Connor died of a heart attack while responding to a fire at 91 Truman St. that also took the lives of three people trapped inside the home. As a memorial, the department had special stickers and etching of his name and badge number on the windows of a new Engine 3 that was delivered earlier in the week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Fire Department Chief Thomas J. Curcio points out a special sticker during a memorial for the late Lt. John O’Connor at the department’s South Station Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. On Feb. 1, 1993, O’Connor died of a heart attack while responding to a fire at 91 Truman St. that also took the lives of three people trapped inside the home. As a memorial, the department had special stickers and etching of his name and badge number on the windows of a new Engine 3 that was delivered earlier in the week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Members of the New London Fire Department stand at attention during a memorial for the late Lt. John O’Connor at the department’s South Station on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. On Feb. 1, 1993, O’Connor died of a heart attack while responding to a fire at 91 Truman St. that also took the lives of three people trapped inside the home. As a memorial, the department had special stickers and etching of his name and badge number on the windows of a new Engine 3 that was delivered earlier in the week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London ― Retired and current firefighters along with family members gathered for a memorial for the late Lt. John O’Connor at the department’s South Station on Thursday. It was the 31st anniversary of his death.

“There aren’t that many of us left in the department that worked with John,” said Chief Thomas J. Curcio during the ceremony. “But we wanted to make sure he, and what he stood for, is never forgotten.”

He then unveiled memories to O’Connor on the department’s new engine, “Engine 3,” that was delivered earlier this week. A graphic etching on the truck’s windows include O’Connor’s hat, name and badge number. A sticker reads “We will not 4 get” with his badge number as well.

On Feb. 1, 1993, O’Connor died of a heart attack after responding to a fire at 91 Truman St. that also took the lives of three people trapped inside the home.

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