BRANFORD, Conn. — A fire department is mourning the loss of a deputy fire chief who was struck and killed by a train Wednesday night.
NBC Connecticut reported that Branford (Conn.) Fire Department Chief Ronald Mullen, who was also the deputy fire marshal, was on the tracks around 7:20 p.m. when a train struck him.
“It is with deep regret we relay news of the sudden passing of Deputy Chief/Deputy Fire Marshal Ronald R. Mullen,” a Facebook post on the fire department page said. “Deputy Chief Mullen joined the Branford Fire Department as a cadet member in 1976 and became a member of the career staff in 1981. Over his nearly four decade career, he was one of the most respected incident commanders, fire investigators and educators in the state.”
Police officials also issued a statement, saying the public safety community is grieving the loss of Chief Mullen.
“He was well respected not only in our community, but throughout our state and nation,” a statement from police captain Geoffrey Morgan said. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and his brothers and sisters in the firefighting community.”
The police department is assisting Amtrak police in the investigation.