The
Poughkeepsie Fire Department and community are making sure that firefighter Timothy Gunther’s legacy
lives on six years after his death.
Timothy
‘Timbo’ Gunther continues to be remembered by the department he served for 21 years, along with the men
he worked alongside.
“He was always doing something for others,”
says Paul Butcher of Poughkeepsie Fire Department. “He was an excellent guy.”
Gunther left such a mark on the department
that they listed his name on the truck he last rode on, as well as a spot
dedicated to his gear.
Capt. Steve Bauer tells News 12 Gunther
exemplified characteristics of a true hero.
“He put others above himself that day. It
was just what Tim would do,” says Bauer. “He wouldn’t think twice about doing
something like that.”
Gunther
ran into a fire on May 4, 2015, to save someone. Unfortunately, the individual
didn’t make it through and hours later,
Gunther died from a cardiac arrest issue related to the call.
“We’re not a big job. There’s only 50, 60
guys top to bottom. There are 20 guys now that have never worked with Tim, so
just keep his memory alive…and he’s never going to be forgotten,” says
firefighter Paul Bucher.
Zeus Brewing Company released a
commemorative beer in Gunther’s honor.
Zeus Brewing Company representative Jeremy
Phillips was looking for a way to honor the fallen firefighter. “I want to
celebrate the fact and say thank you for what they do, day in and day out that
we probably take for granted. Many of us do.”
News 12 is told a portion of all proceeds
will be going to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Gunther’s
honor.
In early 2021, a portion of route 44/55 in
Poughkeepsie was also dedicated to him.