More than four decades after three Binghamton firefighters drowned in the Susquehanna River, the city is preparing to dedicate a monument in their memory.

The dedication ceremony for the monument near the Rockbottom Dam has been scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m.

Granite stones for the memorial were installed two weeks ago at Southside Veterans Park on Conklin Avenue. The site is located a few yards away from the Susquehanna River, overlooking the dam where the firefighters died.

Firefighter John Russell drowned during a rescue operation in the flood-swollen river on September 28, 1975. The following day, Fire Chief John Cox and Captain Donald McGeever drowned when they returned to the river to try to recover Russell's body.

Binghamton city council authorized the memorial project eleven years ago. A renewed effort to build the memorial began around the 40th anniversary of the tragedy.

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM