Country music star Darius Rucker honors fallen firefighter Jared Lloyd

Darius Rucker spent half an hour talking to the fire company and listening to stories about Jared Lloyd, as well as connecting with Jared's two young sons.

News 12 Staff

Apr 28, 2021, 4:52 PM

Updated 1,254 days ago

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A country music star took a moment out of his busy schedule to honor fallen volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd.
Audacy Country host Kelly Ford paid a visit to Columbian Fire Company #1 in Rockland County on Tuesday.
Lloyd died in the line of duty last month in a fire at an assisted living facility in Spring Valley.
During the visit, Ford arranged a virtual call with one of Jared's favorite artists, country singer Darius Rucker.
A video shows Lloyd’s fellow volunteer firefighters and kids singing ‘Wagon Wheel’ along with Rucker.
Rucker spent half an hour talking to the fire company and listening to stories about Jared, as well as connecting with Jared's two young sons - one of whom is named Darius, after Rucker
Lloyd’s colleague Joe Clifford tells News 12 they met while working at Optimum.
"He was always smiling, always happy, always had a smile on his face and I think that's what I'm going to miss the most,” says Clifford.
Although Lloyd may be gone physically, his spirit lives on at Optimum. The company planted a tree in his memory along with a plaque that was unveiled Wednesday evening.  
"Long after I'm gone from here hopefully this tree will still be here,” says Clifford. “It means a lot to me and the rest of the guys here.” The company also retired Lloyd’s employee number and created a second memorial that’s located inside the office.