After 33 Years Of Service, Fire Capt. Mike Walston Retires

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford Fire Department Captain Mike Walston signed off for his last shift after 33 years this weekend.

Walston's "shift mates brought him home for the last time on Rescue 1."

Over the radio, a dispatcher congratulates Walston, and in the background it's asked if anyone has tissues: "I know, I'm about to cry."

"The Guilford Fire Department would like to congratulate Capt. Mike Walston on his retirement after 33 years of service to the town of Guilford. The town, the department, and the people of Guilford thank you for your service. Enjoy your retirement."

Thousands have viewed the video of his colleagues driving their commander home to his family.

A hero firefighter

In 2020, Walston was nominated as a Patch hero.

In 2021, Walston and other Guilford firefighters were hailed as heroes for saving the life of a local man.

It was March 30, just after 6 p.m., when firefighters, including Walston, responded to a call for an unconscious and unresponsive man who'd suffered a heart attack. Firefighters gave him "advanced life support treatment" and the man was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital. He'd later recover and was moved to a rehabilitation facility. Walston and his fellow firefighters were honored for their life-saving efforts.

And in January of this year, Walston was among the crew of firefighter/paramedics to helped to save the life of a man who survived an "hour-long" cardiac arrest.