Binghamton park to be renamed for fallen firefighter JR Gaudet

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Legislation will be introduced this week to rename West End Park for fallen firefighter John "JR" Gaudet. Photo: Saga Communications/Mayor Jared Kraham

BINGHAMTON, NY (607NewsNow) – Binghamton will look to honor a fallen firefighter.

Mayor Jared Kraham says legislation will be introduced this week to rename West End Park for John “JR” Gaudet.

On February 12, 2025, John “JR” Gaudet was killed in the line of duty.

Kraham adds JR grew up practicing lacrosse at the park, and as an adult, he often spent time playing with his three kids there. Patrick Shea is accused of setting the fire that killed Gaudet on February 12 last year in the city. Shea’s arson and murder case is still pending in Broome County Court.

Gaudet, who was added to the NYS Fallen Firefighters Memorial this past October, was an 11-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department.

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