One Year Later: Remembering Binghamton Firefighter "JR" Gaudet

A vigil is to be held on the first anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Binghamton Firefighter John "JR" Gaudet.

City firefighters will be joined by Mayor Jared Kraham for the vigil at 7 p.m. Thursday on the Court Street Bridge near the scene of the fire.

The fast-moving blaze on February 12, 2025 destroyed two abandoned buildings at 1 and 3 Main Street.

Gaudet died after he was injured when part of a burning structure collapsed.

A copy of "JR" Gaudet's obituary was displayed near the Court Street Bridge on February 12, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The Court Street Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The vigil will be open to the public. Free parking will be available at the city-owned Water Street Garage from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Binghamton City Council Wednesday voted to rename West End Park in Gaudet's honor.

FLASHBACK: Smoke continued to rise from the Main Street fire on the morning of February 13, 2025. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

One month after Gaudet's death, authorities announced the indictment of a 36-year-old Broome County man in connection with the Main Street fire investigation.

Patrick K. Shea was charged with arson and murder for allegedly starting the fire.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A return to the somber scene of the Main Street fire on February 12, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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