Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today announced the death of Firefighter James J. O’Shea of Ladder Company 127 in Queens. Firefighter O'Shea, a 17-year veteran of the Department, suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Holbrook, NY, Saturday night after fighting a fire in Queens shortly before his tour of duty ended. He is the first firefighter to die in the line-of-duty since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

“This is a tragic loss for the Fire Department and for the City of New York,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “James O'Shea was a dedicated firefighter who put himself in harms way for 17 years to protect the lives of others, and is the first firefighter to die in the line-of-duty since we lost 343 firefighters more than two years ago on September 11, 2001.  Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Yetta, and two young sons.”

Firefighter O'Shea responded with Ladder 127 to a fire at 141-26 77th Avenue at 4:51 p.m. Saturday. The fire, which marshals have classified as suspicious, started in stacked cardboard boxes in a one-story structure that connected garden apartments in Kew Gardens Hills. After helping put out the fire and assisting in overhauling debris, Firefighter O’Shea reported to his officer that he did not feel well. He returned to the firehouse and after his tour ended at 6 p.m., went home and upon arriving there was immediately rushed to Brookhaven Hospital, where he later died.

“A Department that has lived for the past two years with much sadness and pain once again grieves at the loss of a fallen member,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “Firefighter O’Shea was a dedicated firefighter who loved his job and his larger-than-life presence will be sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him.”

The son of a retired firefighter, O’Shea is the 1,122nd member of the FDNY to die as a result of injuries sustained in the line-of-duty.  He leaves behind his wife, Yetta, and two sons.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Wednesday, October 1st and Thursday, October 2nd
Viewing will take place at:
Grant Funeral Home
571 Suffolk Avenue, Brentwood, NY.
Viewings will take place each day from 2:00pm - 4:00pm and from 7:00pm - 9:30pm.

Friday, October 3, 2003 at 1:00pm
Funeral Service will be held at:
Good Shepherd RC Church
1370 Grundy Avenue, Holbrook, NY