Rockland Mourns: Fallen Firefighter Jared Lloyd Laid To Rest

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — In the early hours on Tuesday, March 23, after repeatedly entering the Evergreen Court Home for Adults to evacuate elderly residents from a raging blaze, Columbian Fire Engine Company firefighter Jared Lloyd issued a “Mayday, Mayday” distress signal. The chilling radio call turned out to be his last. Lloyd’s body was recovered from the debris early the next morning.

On Saturday morning, the Rockland hero who gave his life to save residents of the assisted living home was honored in a private ceremony at Palisades Credit Union Park Boulder Stadium in Pomona. Mourners remembered Lloyd as a son, a father, a selfless volunteer firefighter and as a lifelong baseball fan with firefighters’ dress uniform crown caps occasionally being replaced with Mets baseball caps.

"He made the ultimate sacrifice doing what he loved to do. Jared leaves behind two young boys who will grow up knowing their dad was a hero," Lloyd's former chief told those gathered for the memorial service. "His parents and his girlfriend, who are devastated, but will know this is what he lived for, helping others. The days ahead will be very difficult for the entire family. There will be many obstacles to overcome...Moving forward from today, we will never forget our hero Jared Lloyd. We will fight in his name to prevent things like this from happening in the future. His name will continue to help others save lives. May he rest in peace."

Bagpipes played stirring and mournful funeral songs as the coffin was carried into the arena by pallbearers. Lloyd was honored with a formal fireman’s “bell service” with firefighters from dozens of crews across Rockland County and the Hudson Valley acknowledging Lloyd’s “last call” with a ceremonial bell ringing and silence. A tight formation of emergency services helicopters later flew over the proceedings to help take Lloyd “home.”

A funeral procession with honor guard from the memorial at the stadium to Brick Church Cemetery was joined by hundreds of community members offering signs of respect honoring the local hero. The 45-minute long procession through Spring Valley slowed in a poignant moment as the route passed Lloyd’s former firehouse.

Lloyd leaves behind him two boys, aged 4-years-old and 6-years-old. More than 100 fire trucks took part in a drive-by happy birthday show of love and grief for firefighter Jared Lloyd's son Logan, who turned 6 on March 24, the day after his father's death.

Spring Valley Fire Chief Ken Conjura told mourners that it may never be known how many lives he saved in the moments leading up to his death. Lloyd was attempting to rescue more survivors when the building collapsed and crew lost contact with him.

"Jared pushed to the last possible second," Conjura told reporters days prior to the funeral. "Jared and a few other of his colleagues pushed their way to the third floor and located the victim. On their way out, conditions worsened and he was separated from his crew. He radioed for help and we were unable to get to him."

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