Explorer Ralph Russo, West Haven Fire Explorers

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Yesterday afternoon, Fire Explorer Ralph Russo of the West Haven "Center District" Fire Department Explorer Program was killed (off duty) when his bike was struck by an oncoming car in an intersection. I'll have more details on Explorer Russo when I have access to them.

Rest in Peace Brother.

West Haven Teen Struck, Killed While Riding Bike

Kent Pierce, WTNH News Channel 8

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=8276146

[Remember585 815]

Very sad, God bless you Ralph.

[DaRock98 76]

Wow so young he had his whole life ahead of him. May he rest in peace.

[rfdu39 89]

Rest in peace Ralph.

[grumpyff 1,159]

Too young, Rest in Peace Ralph

[JBE 328]

RIP Kid...

[ex-commish 490]

What a terrible tradegy. Such a young life. My son is only a year older. Hug your kids today.

[ajsbear 11]

Only 14, way to young, RIP Ralph.

My prayers to the family.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Very saddened to hear that. I'm sure being the path he was taking he was a fine young man with an immense amount of potential. Rest in Peace brother!

[Ladder44 73]

This was the same thing that hapen a few years ago,Christopher Kangas, Raplph was also on his bike and he was struck by a car. so sad

[SageVigiles 1,194]

I'd qualify Chris Kangas as an LODD because he was responding (regardless of what DoJ says) whereas Ralph was just hanging out with his friends, though they are both tragedies nonetheless.

[OLDGUY19 6]

Way to young GOD SPEED.

[E106MKFD 56]

Rest in peace brother. May God watch over him and his family.

[DR104 141]

RIP Ralph. So Sad!!!!!

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Apparently some of Ralph's friend have told WFSB News that Ralph may have been chasing a fire call. I finally saw a picture of the kid on the WFSB website, I worked a call with him about 3 weeks ago, a brush fire. The kid helped immensely with the water supply operation, which freed up some of the Allingtown career and volunteer guys to fight the fire. Here's a link to the WFSB page that has his picture and a short clip about him.

http://www.wfsb.com/news/16174793/detail.html

[Scottyk107 9]

RIP brother watch over all of us

[PFD165 1]

What a shame, RIP young brother.

As a parent I can not even start to imagine the anguish the parents are feeling right now.

[bull56 22]

RIP Kid, thanks

[DOC22 1]

Rest in Peace, Ralph. May God's perpeual Light shine upon you, and may God grant your family, friends, and brothers and sisters in West Haven FD the strength to make it through this terrible tragedy.

[Guest]

Rest In Peace Firefighter Explorer Russo

I'm a Police Explorer (Danbury, CT) and Vol. Firefighter (Newtown, CT)

Prayers to the family and friends of Explorer Russo and all our fallen brothers.

Firefighter Alex LaMere

Newtown, CT

[SageVigiles 1,194]

UPDATE: Chief of Department O'Brien alluded to News Channel 8 that he was most likely responding to a Motor Vehicle Accident in the Center District of West Haven at the time. Not unlikely, since Ralph had a scanner permanently attached to his hip and I've seen the kid respond more than a mile on his bike to a call before. I'm not 100% certain as to whether or not the department is giving him Line of Duty Death status, I'll update as soon as I find out. I'll update on service arrangements as they are available as well.

[MKFDL43 0]

Rest in Peace brother

My thoughts and prayers to the Russo Family, and to the West Haven Fire Department

[fitzjr11 17]

thoughts a prayers to the family and friends, and explorers of West Haven FD

[Future Fireman 4]

God speed Explorer Russo.

Mike

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Service Arrangements are as follows:

Wake:

Thursday May 8, 2008

West Haven Funeral Home

662 Savin Avenue

West Haven, CT

4PM-6PM

Funeral Mass:

Friday May 9, 2008

Our Lady of Victory Church

600 Jones Hill Road

West Haven, CT

11AM

I will find out if its a uniformed event or not.

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

As head adviser of PORT CHESTER/RYE explorer post 700 we send our prayers to the russo family and the WEST HAVEN FIRE Explorers. rest in peace Ralph.

[Guest]

Rest in Peace Ralph Russo.

[ems731 0]

Rest In Peace Ralph Russo. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ralph's family, friends and fellow firefighters. God Bless.

[RescueKujo 130]

Thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and fellow explorers. May God watch over all during this tragic time.

[nycemt728 49]

Rest In Peace. Thoughts and prayers with everyone involved!