Last Alarm

Gerald R. Leduc

At approximately 1856 hours on August 3, 2008, Tiverton Fire Department received a 911 call for a report of 2 people in the water at Stafford Pond. Immediately Engine 3, Squad 1, Marine 3, Rescue 1, and 2 were dispatched to the Stafford Pond boat ramp. Upon arrival at the pond, Marine 3 was quickly under way. The crew of Marine 3 pulled one of the two partied out of the water safely. There was a report that the other party had gone under the water for an unknown amount of time. Mutual aid was called. Boats and dive teams responded from Westport, Portsmouth, and Fall River.

Gerry Leduc, who was a certified diver, responded from home off duty. Shortly after Gerry was diving a Mayday went out over the radio. Gerry was pulled from the water by fellow divers, unresponsive. He was loaded onto a fire department boat and CPR was started immediately. Gerry was transferred to a waiting ambulance and paramedics continued working on him. He was transported to Saint Anne's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The search resumed the following day for the missing boater and the victim was found later that afternoon.

Firefighter Leduc was promoted posthumously to the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded by the Tiverton Fire Department, a Medal of Honor and a Medal of Valor, as well as the Medal of Honor from the International Association of Firefighters for his heroic efforts that evening on Stafford Pond.

Lieutenant Gerald R. Leduc

May 1, 1956 - August 3, 2008

25 years of service with the Tiverton Fire Department

Roll Call #14