New Brunswick Pauses to Remember Fallen Firefighter on 20th Anniversary of His Death

NEW BRUNSWICK – Flags are flying at half-staff at all city of New Brunswick buildings today to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Deputy Fire Chief James “Jimmy” D’Heron. D’Heron, a decorated, 22-year veteran of the New Brunswick Fire Department, died while responding to a house fire at 50 Lee Ave.

D’Heron was the first firefighter to arrive on the scene and, realizing there were propane tanks that posed a great danger, raced into the house to evacuate its occupants. His actions saved the lives of all 15 individuals who resided in the burning home.

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The growing fire, however, overtook D’Heron before he was able to escape the structure. D’Heron was 51.

“Jimmy D’Heron embodied the very spirit of service and sacrifice,” Mayor Jim Cahill said. “He was a leader, a mentor, a friend and, above all, a protector of the people of New Brunswick. On this solemn anniversary, we remember his heroic actions and the deep loss felt by his family, colleagues, and our entire community.”

D’Heron was renowned for his valor and dedication. According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, D’Heron saved the life of a city resident during a fire in 1984. In two separate incidents in 1995‚ he saved the life of a 5-year-old child and carried a man in his mid-50s out of a burning house.

His actions earned him New Brunswick Fire Department’s Bronze Commendation in 1984‚ and the Department Medal of Honor and the Grand Cordon Citation in 1995. In 2010, D’Heron was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and honored as one of New Jersey’s “Unsung Heroes”.

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He was a longtime supporter and participant with the Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp. Not only did D’Heron’s daughter, Erin, continue to support the camp after her father’s death, but the New Brunswick Fire Department recently sold shirts in memory of D’Heron to raise funds for the camp.

“Twenty years may have passed, but the legacy of Deputy Chief D’Heron lives on in the hearts of those who knew him and in the fire department he helped shape,” Cahill said. “We are forever grateful for his service and will continue to honor his memory by supporting and protecting those who risk their lives for our safety.”

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