Rockland's first fallen responder honored 166 years after his death

Lawmakers and first responders honored the very first line-of-duty death in Rockland County on Tuesday.
Thomas Pomplin, known by family and friends as Pomp, was a member of the Piermont Fire Department during the 19th century.
The firefighter died in 1854 at the age of 28 a few days after he collapsed at a fire in Nyack.
Pomplin was at first denied the distinction of being the first in-service death in Rockland because he was Black.
"The Piermont Fire Department has established a GoFundMe to raise funds for the Pomplin Memorial, which will be located in the village of Piermont,” says former Piermont Fire Department Chief Daneil Goswick Sr. “Once the monument is paid for, all additional funds will go to the burn center in firefighter Pomplin’s name."
Historians want residents’ help with finding Pomplin's descendants.
Anyone connected to the names Royster, Hammond, Garick, Miller or Pomplin should contact the Piermont Fire Department.