Our fallen hero

On July 11, 1960, Engine 20, with Captain William Noonan in charge, was dispatched for a dwelling fire. Upon arrival they found a vacant dwelling that was boarded up. Upon making entry it was found that the building had been fumigated using sulfur candles. The candles had burned down and set the floor on fire. After a few minutes inside the dwelling, Captain Noonan came out having trouble catching his breath and had minor chest pains. The chest pains persisted and on July 22, Captain Noonan was admitted to the hospital with a myocardial infarction (heart attack). On December 18, 1960, Captain Noonan was granted a Regulation 32 (service-connected disability) and transferred to the Finance Department.

On December 8, 1963, William Noonan passed away from a second heart attack. On February 2, 1977, after a lengthy battle through the Pension Board and the Courts by his widow Rita, Captain William Noonan’s death was ruled to be service connected. His widow was granted his pension and death benefits from the date of his death.