On January 26th, Plainfield Firefighter Marques Hudson, 32, rushed into a burning Emerson Avenue home to do his job. He never came out. A fire, partial collapse and a “Mayday” call. Officials said four firefighters then entered the dwelling and, within minutes, got him out. 

Suffering from severe injuries, he was rushed to Robert Woods Johnson University Medical Center, where doctors worked to save him, but they could not. Firefighter Hudson joined the P.F.D. in December, 2021. The father of three, he is being remembered for dedicating his life to the safety of his city.   

Ten people were home when the fire broke out, according to Mayor Adrian Mapp. Three other firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, but their injuries were described as non-life-threatening. 

On February 3rd, firefighters and other emergency personnel assembled at Plainfield High School for the funeral. They lined up outside the high school to pay their respects to the young firefighter. Along with New Jersey first responders, they came from venues such as New York City, Yonkers, New Haven and Boston. 

“In a gesture of honor and recognition of his valor, we have posthumously elevated Marques to the rank of Lieutenant,” said Mayor Mapp. In addition, the mayor declared January 26th as Firefighters Day in Plainfield from this point forward. 

“He was not merely a firefighter-he embodied the very essence of heroism, putting the lives of others before his own, a testament to his unwavering commitment and courage,” city officials said in a statement.