Firefighter Memorial Finally Coming in Binghamton

40 years after three Binghamton firefighters died attempting river rescues at the Rockbottom Dam, a memorial to the men is to be erected.  Ground is being broken at Southside Park on Conklin Avenue.

Firefighter John Russell drowned during the rescue of a boater who became trapped at the dam. Fire Chief John Cox and Captain Donald McGeever died September 29, 1975, a day after Russell drowned, in an attempt to recover his body.

In 2006, the memorial was estimated to cost about $3,000.  That was followed by discussions about just where it would be located so it would not be dangerous for people going to visit it.