Fire Chief Killed Helping To Remove Fallen Tree From Roadway

COTTEKILL, NY — There is sad news from Ulster County after the death of a firefighter, and civic leader, in the aftermath of the holiday weekend's severe weather.

Officials have confirmed the line-of-duty death of Chief of Department David A. Gagnon. On Friday, at 3:06 p.m., the Cottekill Fire District responded to a report of a tree in the roadway in the Town of Rosendale.

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While the crew of the Cottekill Fire Department members, including Chief Gagnon, were working to remove the tree from the roadway,a portion of the tree unexpectedly snapped and struck him.

Fellow Cottekill firefighters, with help from the Bloomington Fire District, Marbletown First Aid, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, and the Rosendale Police Department initiated life-saving measures. Gagnon, however, succumbed to his injuries.

"Chief Gagnon faithfully served the Cottekill Fire District and his community with dedication, leadership and commitment," the Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company said in a statement. "His passing is a profound loss to his family, fellow firefighters, the department and the community ... The Cottekill Fire District extends its deepest condolences to the Gagnon family during
this difficult time."