This year marks the 165th year of the Waterbury Police and Fire Departments, which were established in 1853. Since the chartering of our great city, numerous Police Officers and Firefighters have died in the line of duty, or as a result of their service to our community. To honor the fallen, the Police and Firefighters Memorial Monument Association formed in 1990 to create the monument seen today in front of City Hall.
The public is invited to attend the annual Memorial Service, which will be held this year on May 10th, 2018, commencing at 1:00PM in front of City Hall in Waterbury.
This monument is inscribed with the names of those persons, among the finest and bravest in our city, who lost their lives in service to us all. Each year in May, the Waterbury Police and Fire Departments gather for a Memorial Service at the monument, honoring the fallen. Visitors reflect on the etched badges, they read the names, and for those who knew those persons in life, remember them in passing years with respect, sorrow, and gratitude.
The inception of this monument began in 1987, when Fire Commissioner Alphonse Macarelli imagined its creation. On May 10th, 1990, a tragic accident occurred in which two Firefighters lost their lives. The following year in April, a committee to create a monument formed and incorporated as an organization with the help of Attorney Thomas Riley. The Board of Aldermen then voted to approve a request by the organization to have this monument constructed. Consisting of jet black granite with lithogold emblems and lettering, this monument was made by Ciarlo’s Monument Works in Waterbury at a cost of $14,745 for the completed center and upper stones. The Land Committee approved on April 20th,1991, that a portion of land in front of City Hall be allocated for the monument, in accordance with the adopted design. On September 1st, 1991, the monument was placed. The following year, on May 10th, 1992, the first memorial service was conducted at the monument, beginning a tradition that has continued to the present day.
Ciarlo’s Monument Works would be called to expand the monument in 2002, when the names became too numerous for the original stone. Black granite wings were added at a cost of $4,200 and the Police and Firefighters Memorial Monument Association again provided the funds.
The association is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to remembering our fallen Police Officers and Firefighters, and to supporting those who continue to serve. Your donations provide for memorial wreaths/flowers and support charitable police and firefighter’s non-profit organizations.
To donate online, visit www.policeandfiremonument.org, or by check to Waterbury Police and Firefighters Monument Association, 1551 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT 06708.