O'KEEFE, Thomas D.

On May 26, 1899, Captain Thomas D. O'Keefe, Hook & Ladder Co. No. 6, was drilling with his men in quarters. Capt. O'Keefe sustained an injury while lifting a heavy ladder. After 2 weeks his condition was not improving so his physician sent him to City Hospital where he under went an operation on June 14. A few hours after his operation his condition began to rapidly deteriorate and he was rushed back into the OR for a second operation. His health continued to decline and he died at City Hospital on June 24, 1899. The Fire Board ordered that the following resolution be spread upon the records. "In the death of Capt. Thomas D. O'Keefe the department suffered the loss of an officer whose unswerving devotion to duty was unquestioned and whose faithful, conscientious and intelligent performance of every duty incumbent upon him as an officer and a fireman is worthy of emulation." Captain Thomas D. O'Keefe was 33 years old and had served for 10 years.

Information for Capt.O'Keefe's narrative taken from an article in The Democratic Advocate, June 1899.