An estimated 2,000 firefighters joined family, friends and dignitaries for the funeral of New York City and Bellmore volunteer firefighter Kevin Prior Oct. 5 at St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Bellmore.
Mr. Prior, 28, a member of New York Squad 252, a special operations unit that handles special rescues and counter-terrorism in Bushwick, Brooklyn, died in the rescue operation after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Sept. 11. MR. Prior also served the Bellmore community as a lieutenant with Advance Hook, Ladder and Engine Company Number One.
New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and a representative of New York Governor George Pataki were among those eulogizing Mr. Prior as one of the true heroes of Sept. 11 who rushed to the scene of the disaster to help save countless lives. Prior was described by fellow officers and friends as a great person, dedicated to his job.
A fund in memory of Kevin Prior has been created by the Bellmore Fire Department. All checks can be made payable to the Adam and Kevin Memorial Fund and mailed to the Bellmore Fire Department, 230 Pettit Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710.
