The Binghamton City Council has unanimously approved the renaming of a city park after a fallen Binghamton firefighter.
The West End Park will be renamed in honor of firefighter John “JR” Gaudet, who was killed in a fire in downtown Binghamton on Feb. 12, 2025.
The park was a special place for Gaudet, who spent his childhood practicing lacrosse there and later brought his three kids to the park.
The park will now be known as the JR Gaudet Memorial Park.
A vigil was held on Thursday evening to honor the life and sacrifice of John “JR” Gaudet.
The man who set the fire that ultimately killed Gaudet has pleaded guilty in Broome County Court.
Patrick Shea admitted to setting the fire to keep warm inside the vacant building at 1 Main Street in Binghamton. He will spend seven years in state prison.
