About one year after firefighter John “JR” Gaudet was tragically killed in a Main Street fire, hundreds of community members gathered on Thursday to commemorate his life and legacy.

On Feb. 12, 2025, a three-alarm fire broke out by the Court Street Bridge that destroyed the buildings at 1 and 3 Main St. Gaudet, an 11-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department, was killed after a wall collapsed while he was battling the flames. Two other firefighters were injured that night and discharged from the hospital early the next morning.

The bridge was closed Thursday evening as people poured out in front of the site, which has routinely been decorated with American flags and wreaths over the past year in Gaudet’s honor. A copy of Gaudet’s obituary was also placed by the bridge.

Among those in attendance were Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham and Binghamton Fire Department Chief Alan Gardiner.

A Gospel reading and a prayer were read at Thursday’s vigil. Kraham then spoke, heralding Gaudet’s service and devotion to the local community.

“He loved this city, believed in its people and chose to build his life here because service to Binghamton meant something to him,” Kraham said. “That love showed up in long shifts and coaching kids after work, stepping forward when others needed it and always putting the team ahead of himself.”

“As a firefighter, JR was known for his toughness, his humility and his quiet courage,” he continued. “He wasn’t motivated by recognition. He led because leadership meant someone else would be safer.”

Gaudet’s father also addressed vigil attendees and thanked the firefighters and police officers who responded to the scene that night.

Lt. firefighter Chris Mallery, a close friend of Gaudet, remembered him as the “heartbeat of the squad” who always looked out for not just his fellow crew and their families, but also the wider community.

Gaudet is survived by his wife, Felly, and three children. In addition to his service in the fire department, Gaudet coached youth lacrosse and played on Binghamton University’s Division I men’s lacrosse team during the 2003-2004 seasons. The lacrosse team honored Gaudet last April during a home game against the University of Albany.

Gardiner recited a firefighter’s prayer at the vigil.

A design for a future plaque to be affixed on the bridge was displayed on Thursday, honoring Gaudet’s ultimate sacrifice on Feb. 12, 2025.

Last Wednesday, the Binghamton City Council officially voted to rename the West End park as the “JR Gaudet Memorial Park” after Kraham, Gardiner and Professional Firefighters Association President David J. Holleran proposed legislation in January.

Gaudet was honored at Fox Nation’s Patriot Awards Ceremony in November. He posthumously received the Tunnels to Towers Stephen Siller Courage Award, which celebrates “individuals who exemplify bravery, kindness, and selflessness.”

Gaudet had an undeniable impact on the lives of people he interacted with, according to those close to him. George Wilson Sr., a community resident who attended the vigil, told Pipe Dream he and his daughter first met Gaudet a few years ago at Binghamton’s annual Parade Day. They were walking toward Seton Catholic Central on the West Side for an after-parade party when they met Gaudet.

Wilson’s daughter, who was young at the time, came home after the parade with Gaudet’s St. Patrick’s Day ribbon, which the family still has to this day.

“The loss of JR is immeasurable, but tonight, as we light these candles, we honor the incredible impact he had on our city and on our lives,” Mallery said. “Let the light of these candles remind us, not only of what we’ve lost, but of what we had.”