Honorees

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Year Honored
2009
Honoree
Bruce S. Fletcher
Agency
Ashford Volunteer Fire Department
Agency City
Ashford
Agency State
CT
Last Call
11/18/02
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
Assistant Chief Charles Reviczky said, "Bruce was instrumental in raising the level of training for all personnel and would always strive for the highest level of safety and professionalism. He touched a lot of people's lives. He was a man you could trust and a leader you could follow."<br /> <br /> Bruce S. Fletcher, 50, died in the line of duty on November 18, 2002. He had returned from a call and was completing paper work when he began having breathing problems. He called for help and crew members responded along with members of a mutual aid ambulance from Mansfield Fire Department. Paramedics were called in from Windham Community Hospital. However, within an hour Chief Fletcher died of heart failure.<br /> <br /> Fletcher joined the department in 1972 and worked his way up the ranks to become Chief in 1996. He was a member of several organizations, including the Windham County Fire Chiefs Association and the Switchboard Association. He had a bachelor's degree in fire science and certification as an EMT since 1974. As a Connecticut State Fire Officer, he was involved in training at the state fire training academy. He was also a decorated United States Army veteran of Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.<br /> <br /> He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He used to say "staying indoors makes you sick; everybody has to breathe fresh air." He loved his family, always bragging on them. Bruce will be missed.<br /> <br /> Honored 2009