Two plaques were unveiled today at the Tarrytown Fire House honoring the memory of volunteer firefighters John Kelly and Anthony Ruggiero who died one year ago after succumbing to fumes in manhole behind Consolidated Engine Fire House in Tarrytown. 

More than 100 people attended the Labor Day ceremony including the Kelly and Ruggiero families and members of the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow fire departments in full-dress uniforms. 

“We are here today to remember the two great men who tragically lost their lives one year ago tomorrow,” said Tarrytown Fire Chief John McGee.  “Their families have suffered an immeasurable and heart breaking loss.”  

Ruggiero’s daughters Andrea and Erica pulled aside a flag to reveal the plaque honoring their father, as did Kelly's daughter, Brianna. 

The two plaques each bear one man’s name and are in the shape of a Maltese Cross, an ancient firefighter badge of honor and symbol of protection.  They are mounted on the front of the fire station and were made by Sign Extreme in Sleepy Hollow.    

The entire gathering stood silently and firefighters saluted as taps was played on the trumpet by Sleepy Hollow resident Bill Losier and the flag lowered to half-mast.  Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell announced that flags in the Village would be flown at half-mast today and tomorrow out of respect for Kelly and Ruggiero.

“It was an honor and a privilege to have lived among such men,” said Fixell.

The incident that led to the men's deaths last year started with the report of a sewage backup on Sheldon Avenue.   

Ruggiero, the village's Road Maintenance Foreman with the Tarrytown Department of Public Works went into the manhole behind Consolidated Engine Company searching for the cause of the backup. As he descended into the manhole, he lost consciousness and fell backwards. Kelly, who was in the area, had attempted to rescue Ruggiero. He too was overcome and lost consciousness. 

After an investigation, the Village was issued four violations by the New York State Department of Labor's Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) division for lapses in protocol and safety.  Officials at the Department of Labor said that both men's deaths were preventable.