NY African American FF Honored 166 Years After LODD

Sept. 19, 2022
Piermont Firefighter Thomas Pomplin died in 1854, but was not recognized because he was black.

A monument honoring the first Rockland County firefighter killed in the line of duty was unveiled during a ceremony Saturday.

Piermont Firefighter Thomas Pomplin died in 1854, a few days after he collapsed at a fire in Nyack, News 12 reported.

Since he was black, he was denied the distinction of being the first firefighter in the county to be killed in the line of duty. 

Recently, fire department members rallied to give him proper recognition. Funds were collected to design a monument that now sits in the village park. 

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