Kenneth Gallagher, August 14th, 1982
On August 14, 1982 at approximately 6:00 AM, Firefighter James Nero of Ladder 21, argued with his girlfriend and then stabbed her.
Armed with a 38-caliber revolver, he went to the home of fellow Firefighter Robert Upshaw. After a brief conversation, Firefighter Nero shot Firefighter Upshaw, hitting him in the wrist and elbow.
Firefighter Nero then drove to the home of Fire Paramedic Stanley Brown, who was at that time assigned to Medic 10 at Engine 9/Ladder 21. When Fire Paramedic Brown answered the door, Nero shot him in the head at close range. Fire Paramedic Brown died of his wounds at Chestnut Hill Hospital on August 16, 1982.
After shooting Fire Paramedic Brown, Nero drove to Engine 9/Ladder 21’s station where Firefighter Kenneth Gallagher was on watch. Firefighter Nero came into the station and shot Firefighter Gallagher in the head while he was sitting at the watch desk.
The other members of the company were asleep in the bunk room at the rear of the station and were unaware of the shooting. Firefighter Gallagher was found at 06:57 AM when Medic 10 returned to the station after a run. Firefighter Gallagher was rushed to Chestnut Hill Hospital where he died of his wounds two hours later.
It is unknown why Firefighter James Nero attacked his fellow Firefighters.
Kenneth Gallagher, August 14th, 1982
On August 14, 1982 at approximately 6:00 AM, Firefighter James Nero of Ladder 21, argued with his girlfriend and then stabbed her.
Armed with a 38-caliber revolver, he went to the home of fellow Firefighter Robert Upshaw. After a brief conversation, Firefighter Nero shot Firefighter Upshaw, hitting him in the wrist and elbow.
Firefighter Nero then drove to the home of Fire Paramedic Stanley Brown, who was at that time assigned to Medic 10 at Engine 9/Ladder 21. When Fire Paramedic Brown answered the door, Nero shot him in the head at close range. Fire Paramedic Brown died of his wounds at Chestnut Hill Hospital on August 16, 1982.
After shooting Fire Paramedic Brown, Nero drove to Engine 9/Ladder 21’s station where Firefighter Kenneth Gallagher was on watch. Firefighter Nero came into the station and shot Firefighter Gallagher in the head while he was sitting at the watch desk.
The other members of the company were asleep in the bunk room at the rear of the station and were unaware of the shooting. Firefighter Gallagher was found at 06:57 AM when Medic 10 returned to the station after a run. Firefighter Gallagher was rushed to Chestnut Hill Hospital where he died of his wounds two hours later.
It is unknown why Firefighter James Nero attacked his fellow Firefighters.
Career History
Appointed June 3, 1974
Appointed Firefighter Ladder 21/D - July 29, 1974