MICHELE MCCLINTICK
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Tuesday morning marks a somber anniversary in the Queen City.


Exactly one year ago, two of Buffalo's Bravest sacrificed their lives as they entered a burning downtown building.

"We accept this job for what it is, it's a dangerous job," said former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Mike Lombardo.

Tuesday, the Buffalo Fire Department will honor their fallen brothers, Lieutenant Charles "Chip" McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom.

Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and firefighter Jonathan Croom died August 24th 2009 while battling a deli fire on Genesee Street.

Both men fell through a collapsed floor into the building's basement.

Jonathan Croom is remembered by his fellow firefighters as someone who always kept up morale.

"You never saw him in a bad mood. He was always a happy guy, always looking at the positive things. He had a great career going, a great family going. It's just a tragedy," said Captain John Murphy of Ladder 7.

Lt. Charles "Chip" McCarthy was known for his dedication, a firefighter you could count on.

Lombardo said, "The place you could find him was in the fire, doing his job, and there was probably nobody that did it better."

A mass will be held Tuesday morning in remembrance of Firefighter Croom and Lieutenant McCarthy.

It will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph's University Church on Main Street, in Buffalo.

Copyright WIVB.com