FDNY Line of Duty Death
November 30, 1928 - LODD
Fireman John E. Rauch
Engine 261
FDNY. Queens, New York
Fireman Rauch was operating at fire when he fell from the apparatus he was standing on and was later found unconscious. He was found by members of the department, revived and sent home where he later died at home.
Fireman John E. Rauch was found in a foot of water while fighting a five -alarm fire in a coal company at Ash and Oakland Streets in Greenpoint. The fire was the largest that Brooklyn had seen for many years. Fireman Rauch was directing the stream from a deck-pipe of the fire engine and fell into the water. It was several minutes before he was noticed missing and was found in the water unconscious. He was revived by an ambulance surgeon and sent home suffering from a concussion of the brain and contusions and bruises. He died at his home. He had been a member of the Department since June 7, 1919. He was also injured by falling debris on July 7, 1927 at the same fire that killed Fireman Edward Knapp. (From "The Last Alarm" by Boucher, Urbanowicz & Melahn, 2007)
RIP. Never forget.
