Fallen Bedford Firefighter's Name Added to Memorial

The news of Lt. James Clark's death came as a shock to his fellow Bedford firefighters.

The 26-year veteran of Bedford FD – who was described by all who knew him as easy-going and "fit as a fiddle" – died at 56-years of age at his Goffstown home in April, just hours after returning home after a long shift with multiple calls. His death was ruled a cardiac event.

Roughly six months later, Clark was honored Sunday, when his name was scribed alongside many of his deceased comrades on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Concord.

Hopkinton Fire Chief Richard Schaffer was also added to memorial during the ceremony on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fire Academy.

Gov. Maggie Hassan and many other state officials attended the somber event.

Monday, the New Hampshire Department of Safety issued the following release:

Grey skies complemented the somber mood as over 300 people gathered at the New Hampshire Fallen Fire Fighters Monument on Sunday, October 13, on the grounds of the New HampshireFire Academy. They paid tribute to the 76 fire fighters who have given their lives protecting lives and property of the state’s residents. Two additional names were added on Sunday, Chief Richard Schaefer of the Hopkinton Fire Department and LT. James B. Clark of the Bedford Fire Department.

Governor Maggie Hassan was on hand to pay tribute to the sacrifices the families of the fallen fire fighters have had to make. Heidi Packard of the Granite State Fire Service Support team and widow of a fallen fire fighter spoke of the “emptiness” of losing “your partner, your best friend” in a moving tribute to the families. Bedford fire fighter Jeff Humphry read a poem written by Lt. Clark addressing young fire fighters he had taught and who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

The New Hampshire Professional Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums paid tribute to those lost and the Red Knights, a motorcycle club of active and retired fire fighters, helped to represent those fire fighters whose families were not able to attend.