Remembrance by District Chief Charles Mitchell

What follows is a partial transcript of District Chief Charles Mitchell's remarks today at the funeral of Lieutenant Kevin Kelley:

I want to speak directly to Gloria, Susan, Chris, and Maureen along with Tricia, and Peggy. ... You’re all [Kevin's] first family and anyone in the fire service knows there are two families -- the one in the firehouse being quite a bit different … We want you to hear who he really was from his second family.

A little history: I first met Kevin in October of 1989, so not too far off from 20 years. He came to Huntington Avenue to fill a lieutenant's vacancy on the engine. ...

Kevin was different. No, he was odd. You know, you can usually pick out people right away. But the first few tours working was, like, “Huh?" He had this nothing about him, [like] he didn’t care … But it didn’t take too long to see it was smoke and mirrors. Kevin in no way wore his feelings on his sleeve. But when you work 42 hours a week and you’re in and out on fires and emergencies, as busy as we were, it didn’t take too long to know the real Kevin.

Underneath there, whatever he said, it was truly just the opposite. He liked the fire department. He liked where he worked. He loved the guys. He loved the job. But you’d never hear that from Kevin. Smoke and mirrors. He’d couldn’t let that be known. ...

I got up early ... and I said, “Let’s see what everyone has got to say,” and the first story I read was about an off-duty nurse going by [the crash scene] and stopped to help and I thank that person. And the story went on and then the line that made me jump bolt upright out of my chair: “I heard a loud horn.” And I said it had be the air horn. ...

On the side door of that ladder truck there are two buttons, one for the siren and one for the air horn. The siren would have not worked. They were returning and all the emergency switches were off, and I knew that Kevin had his thumb on that horn trying to send out whatever warning he could to those down below. ....

He was a role model. Another one of his protégées would say, “I asked a question, ‘What would Kevin do?’ ” with whatever situation was facing him. ... He’s trained guys now who are going to go out and spread Kevin Kelley to other members. He’s going to spread it through the job. The newer members are going to be taught the way Kevin would do it.

But most of all, Kevin was a great husband and the best father and I’ve heard that over and over again. Peggy, this is for you, we have a term in the Boston Fire Department and it’s not used for everyone. Not all have it nor will all ever retain it. It comes not from on high but rather from below. It’s given by the guys who were in the trenches with you. It says, "Yeah, he knows what he’s doing. He’ll take care of me. He’ll come for me, if I’m trapped." The term is simply, “He’s a good jake” and I'm telling you, he was a good jake.

We also want you to know that after the cameras are gone and the headlines have moved on, your second family is still here. We take care of our own. Just reach out if you need anything. We never forget. Kevin made the supreme sacrifice; the brotherhood is strong. Let us help you. Kevin was just an ordinary man, but he did extraordinary things.

Kevin, rest in peace, the guys are here to watch over your first family. Say hi to the other alumni ... Please ask the big guy in charge to place a protective hand over us. Good-bye, Kevin, rest in peace.

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