News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local News
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

Vigil held for Pleasantville firefighter killed 30 years ago, case remains unsolved

Pleasantville firefighters and others gathered Monday for the vigil. It marks 30 years since the death of fellow volunteer firefighter, Tom Dorr.

Melanie Palmer

Jan 12, 2026, 10:17 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

Pleasantville firefighters and others gathered Monday for the vigil. It marks 30 years since the death of fellow volunteer firefighter, Tom Dorr.

"He was like a teacher, keeping us young kids in line," says John Brooks, Dorr's friend and colleague at the Pleasantville Fire Department.

On top of being a volunteer firefighter, Dorr was a City of White Plains employee. Friends and colleagues say he was a good person who they call, a "gentle giant."

"He was a gentleman. He was kind of big and imposing but at the end of the day, he wouldn't hurt a fly," says John Thys, friend and colleague of Tom Dorr.

In 1996, Dorr was beaten and stabbed to death. His body was found by fellow firefighters at Graham Hills Park in Pleasantville.

Since then, a vigil has been held at the park every year to honor Dorr's memory and, also fight for justice. The case remains unsolved.

"We ask anybody, if they think of anything as miniscule as it might seem, get in touch with the police," Thys tells News 12.

Police say the case is still open and active.

Anyone with information about his death is urged to contact the Westchester County Police Department.

More Stories

Top Stories

00:40
0516fatalax_2026-05-16-13-33-46

State troopers identify person killed in 3-vehicle crash on Bear Mountain State Parkway

01:51
FX Headlines 10 (2)

Sunny and warm Sunday before summer-like heat builds across the Hudson Valley through mid-week

02:04
RTWCHVYonkersKnockoutsCWilkinson9pm_2026-05-16-21-10-51

Crowds pack Downtown Yonkers venue to cheer on young boxing hopefuls

00:53
RTWCHVYonkersArtsKickoffABrownVOSOT4pm_2026-05-16-16-32-03

Yonkers Arts Weekend transforms city into a vibrant creative hub

01:28
RTWCHVPlaylandSoftOpenJHopwood4pm_2026-05-16-16-26-57

Rye Playland reopens for soft launch; Dragon Coaster expected to reopen May 23

02:20
516LOGANLIVE_2026-05-16-06-03-15

LIVE UPDATES: LIRR strike halts service systemwide. Here's what you need to know.

01:17
0516spcadogwalk_2026-05-16-13-28-19

Wagging tails and second chances: SPCA Westchester Dog Walk brings hundreds to Yorktown

01:40
0515elmsfordprotest2_2026-05-15-17-46-26

Parents, students protest alleged forced resignations in Elmsford School District

01:52
0515newroprotest_2026-05-15-17-21-28

New Rochelle restores elementary band, orchestra funding after community pushback

01:23
blaise monroe

Surveillance video shows van crash into Monroe insurance office

01:33
0515mtvernondeed_2026-05-15-17-28-40

Mount Vernon officials warn about deed theft

01:40
5152026WC12diane_2026-05-15-12-18-51

Ramapo police investigate reports of people sprayed, hit with objects in Monsey

01:50
0515poughkeepsiedowntown_2026-05-15-18-20-53

Housing, bars and groceries: Poughkeepsie leaders plan to upgrade downtown through coveted state grant

news12

Connecticut Department of Health urges shellfish safety from imported products amid hepatitis A investigation

Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein rape retrial ends in mistrial as jury deadlocks

00:50
Image (55)

Bus driver, several others taken to hospital after Bee-Line crash in Greenburgh

01:50
Screenshot 2026-05-15 053054

Playland Park reopens for 98th season with Dragon Coaster return and $150M in upgrades

00:58
Screenshot 2026-05-15 071510

Lawsuit discontinued against Mt. Vernon School district relating to fatal 2022 cheerleader stabbing

00:54
5152026HVraja_2026-05-15-08-37-58

Couple pleads guilty to stealing over $3.4M from Medicaid in Orange County

00:45
5152026WCifant_2026-05-15-05-26-47

Kent man faces federal charges of sexual exploitation of an infant, child pornography

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices