Fallen BK Firefighter Was The 'Quintessential' Fireman: Memorial

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK -- When Brooklyn firefighter Steven Pollard died trying to rescue two car crash victims this week, he was doing what he had strived to do throughout his life — helping those in need, speakers at his memorial service said Friday.

Fellow firefighters, friends and Mayor Bill De Blasio remembered Pollard during a Friday morning ceremony in Brooklyn as a "gentle giant" who quietly worked toward his dream of becoming a dedicated FDNY firefighter. Pollard died Sunday when he fell from the Mill Basin Bridge trying to save car crash victims.

"On Sunday, what Steven Pollard saw was a fellow New Yorker, a fellow human being, in a crumpled SUV out on the Belt Parkway — he did not hesitate," De Blasio said. "He saw someone in danger, he saw someone who needed help. He rushed forward and in that instant he gave his life."

Pollard was racing toward two men injured in a car crash when he fell between a gap in the bridge and fell about 50 feet, according to the FDNY.

Fellow Ladder Company 170 firefighter Timothy Klein, who was with Pollard the night he died, told the crowd in Good Shepherd Church that Pollard's dedication that night was not out of the ordinary for the 30-year-old.

Pollard joined the department in November 2017, following in the footsteps of his father, 32-year FDNY veteran Raymond Pollard, and brother, Ladder Company 114 firefighter Raymond Pollard Jr.

Klein went over a checklist the FDNY uses to rate probationary firefighters, explaining how Pollard exemplified every category. One officer in the Ladder Company said he knew it would be a good night whenever he saw Pollard's name on the list, Klein said.

"Steve did not like being in the spotlight...but he’d never hesitate to ask questions and learn everything he could about the job, striving to be the best firefighter he could be,” Klein said.

His dedication to others extended into his private life, too, a longtime friend said at the service. Pollard, from Marine Park, was "loyal to a fault" to both his friends and family, including his parents, brother and young niece and nephew.

“He was always there for me and anyone else who asked for a helping hand,” the friend said.

Speakers also shared stories of Pollard's quirks and passions, remembering how he acquired a slew of nicknames throughout his life for his love of fishing, hockey and taking the walk home after nights out as an opportunity to get in a few sprints.

Mourners at the memorial service included Pollard's family, elected officials and FDNY members.

"We area here to say that we stand forever with the Pollard family," De Blasio said. "This family has always been there for the people of New York City and we, the people of New York City, will always be there for them."

The memorial was followed by a committal service will follow at the Green-Wood Cemetery Crematory Chapel.

The service was live-streamed here:

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Photo courtesy of the FDNY; Patch writer Anna Quinn contributed to this article.