Colleagues Speak After Racine Firefighter's Death Called Homicide

RACINE, WI — Colleagues of the Racine firefighter who was found dead on Sunday spoke out about the loss and offered stories at a news conference on Tuesday morning that was broadcast by several news outlets.

The death of the fifty-year-old firefighter, who has been identified in reports as Christopher Lalor, is being investigated as a homicide, according to the Racine Police Department. First responders found the body of a 21-year veteran of the fire department after they were called out to an address on Pinehurst Avenue around noon on Sunday, according to a news release from the agency.

"It's difficult to stand here and talk about the events that surround the loss of an extended member of our family," Racine Police Chief Maurice Robinson told reporters at a news conference Tuesday morning. "What I can tell you is we are using all of our investigative resources to determine the who and the why regarding this senseless death."

"We do have a promising line of investigation," Robinson told reporters at the conference, adding more information is being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.

RELATED: Racine Firefighter's Death Investigated As Homicide

Several colleagues of Lalor spoke out during the conference about the loss.

"In losing Chris, the City of Racine has lost a good citizen. The Fire Department lost a good teammate and firefighter," Racine Fire Captain Craig Ford told reporters at the conference. "Let the legacy of firefighter Chris Lalor motivate you to lift up the community around you. Firefighter Chris Lalor will not be forgotten."

"Chris was a huge asset for the fire department. It's going to be a huge loss that we're not going to be able to fix. But he was also a huge loss and asset to the community," Lieutenant Tim O'Brien told reporters at the conference Tuesday. "We're truly going to miss him."

Racine police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756.

Those with information who wish to remain anonymous were asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 262-636-9330.