Latest news with #RobertSharkevich
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hometown heroes: Wethersfield mural honors fallen firefighter, police officer
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — A mural in Wethersfield is honoring two local heroes who gave their life in the line of duty. Wethersfield FD honors crew member who died on duty Robert 'Sharky' Sharkevich and Bobby Garten's legacies live on in the mural, which is placed in front of the 911 Sports and Community Center in Wethersfield. Sharkevich, a long-time Connecticut firefighter, died in Oct. 2024 while fighting the Hawthorne fire in Berlin; Garten, a police officer, in Sept. 2023 while responding to a call for help. '[Garten] was my best friend growing up and both of us a lifelong Wethersfield resident, it memorializes a couple of hometown heroes, and it is a great thing!' Jay Granato of Wethersfield said. Granato continued to say that Garten would've loved the mural. Corey Payne, the artist who painted the mural, is also from Wethersfield. He said that he did a lot of research to capture who the two men were in the painting. 'You kind of wanna look at it as a way to see the person again, so you wanna make sure you catch their likeness and essence,' Payne said. The memorial is finished and out for everyone to see. A more personal memorial for Sharkevich is in the firehouse: a piece of glass has been ordered to go in his locker, keeping everything in it as it was the day that he died. 'Here are two people doing their job, making a difference in their communities and unfortunately met an untimely demise, it's important to remember them for all the good things that they did and hopefully it will be an inspiration to the next generation,' Bill Desrosiers, a Wethersfield resident, said. Watch the full video in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Connecticut lawmakers commemorate International Firefighters' Day
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State lawmakers will gather at the Capitol to recognize 'International Firefighters' Day,' which fell over the weekend. International Firefighters' Day was this past Sunday. It's a day where people are encouraged to stop and reflect on the sacrifices made by firefighters past & present. Wethersfield community honors and remembers fallen firefighter Robert Sharkevich To honor this day in their way, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, fire chiefs and advocates, legislators, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Personnel will meet at the capital on Tuesday. To release a new report on the state of firefighting in Connecticut This report features a first-of-its-kind survey of career and volunteer fire departments in the state. News 8 is told it will offer unique insights and recommendations. There were multiple memorials in honor of this over the weekend. In Emmitsburg, Maryland, one tribute honored 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year and 70 more who died in previous years. Wethersfield firefighter Robert Sharkevich, senior, was among those recognized for his service and sacrifice to his community. The new report is being discussed at 11 a.m. at the capital. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
