Following the death of Firefighter Thomas Kelly, the Hamden Fire Department sent its condolences to the New Haven Fire Department on May 5.

Kelly was hired by the department on October 10th, 1979, and worked as the tillerman assigned to Truck 4 in Division 3, according to New Haven Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin. Kelly was performing roof operations at a fire on Chapel Street when he fell about thirty feet through a covered shaft, according to officials, suffering catastrophic injuries.

Chief Coughlin recalled Kelly's dedication and devotion to the police and said he demonstrated fortitude and resiliency for 34 years after the incident. The New Haven Fire Department and Kelly's family received condolences from Hamden officials as well.