Transcript: Mayor Eric Adams Eulogizes FDNY Firefighter Timothy Klein

April 29, 2022

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you, Father Sweeney. Today, we gather to mourn Timothy Patrick Klein, firefighter. A young man, 31 years of age. He died fighting a three-alarm fire on Sunday. He didn't make it home. He's home now. We pray to the Lord for our families, our friends who are experiencing this devastating pain. We'll ask the Lord to help all the families. In addition to Tim's life, we lost a young man, Carlos Richards. My heart goes out to Carlos' family. Eight other firefighters and one civilian were injured that day. Some came from the hospital here to say goodbye to their brother. We will never forget Tim's bravery, never forget his sacrifice. And we will never forget the bravery of the men and women of the FDNY who were there that day in Canarsie.

Mayor Adams: Looking back, it's clear that Tim was born to be a hero. Originally from Breezy Point and he was a Rockaway boy through and through. He came from a fire fighting family. His dad was a firefighter and his granddad was a police officer. A family that held fast to their tradition of faith, family, and the fire department. I want to thank Dee Dee, his mom. I have five siblings. I know you had one son. My mom loved us all, but she just adored me. His three sisters, and I just saw something special in the face when I saw you at the wake. What it is to be a mom. What a bravery. I would walk past my mom's door after – showed that strength. At night, when we were all asleep, I would hear her, and she'd just mourn silently. I just thank you so much.

Mayor Adams: Patrick, you saw our center of trade collapse and so many of your fellow firefighters during 9/11, but you continued to push through. One of the few that were able to leave, and now to lose your son in this way. It's devastating. I have one boy, and Jordan means everything to me. My heart goes out to you. Now, 20 years later, you're experiencing this devastating pain. It's beyond words for me to express. But I feel your pride, your pride in your son who served with honor. Your son died in service of others and to himself. And to his amazing sisters, Erin, Bridget, and Tara. Thank you for giving us your brother. We share your grief, and the bonds between siblings is powerful.

Mayor Adams: And to Courtney. Oh, man. This circle of life prematurely took a future. It's unimaginable. Looked at that picture in the brochure of the two of you together. We pray for you, Courtney. The love you shared with Tim blessed both of your lives. And to the Ladder Company 170 and Engine 257. Remember, two years ago you lost one of your members. Timothy did the eulogy, as a young firefighter was able to do so. Then after the wake, hearing from some of the widows who lost three of the members from the same company a few years ago. You have endured pain beyond our imagination. You continue to exemplify what it is to be a hero in this city.

Mayor Adams: Timothy spent his free time building ramps so people with disabilities could get around their homes, just continuing to give back and continuing to show who he is and who he was to us. I saw something that day at the wake. As I stood over Timothy's casket, I saw a New York Yankees cap. I saw a pair of sunglasses. Saw a cup, a can with his favorite beverage. And as I left his mom and his dad and sisters, I got back in the car and I sat down. He was more than a firefighter. He was more than a hero. He was representative of an American family. You are an American family. I think about Bernard and Sandra and Faye and Conrad, my mom and dad. It didn't matter if you were from Bay Ridge or Brownsville, if you're from Rockaway or Ralph Avenue, we are what makes this country great. We are American families. And your son just invokes something inside me. You have to love our country to give. Your son gave his all for this country, and we should use it as a symbol.

Mayor Adams: This is a special place because of the American families. The only place on the globe where dream is attached to our name. There's no German dream. There's no French dream. But there's an American dream. My American dream is knit together by people who put on a uniform and run towards harm in danger, with their lives on the line, possibility of never to come home again. Now trust me, Tim would do it again. That's what's great about being an American family. You lost your son, but you gained a family member. I'll never forget what you and your daughters did for me at that wake. You renewed my spirit, and as the mayor of this city, I'm going to do everything I can to renew the spirits of the American families. Thank you so much.

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