ON JUNE 14, 2008 AT 2:00PM AT JENKINS MEMORIAL FIELD (NEXT TO THE SKYLINE LAKE FIREHOUSE), THE MEMBERS OF THE SKYLINE LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING A REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY TO HONOR THE 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE LINE OF DUTY DEATH OF SKYLINE LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANT ROBERT "BJ" JENKINS . ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.
LT. JENKINS WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE OPERATING AT THE SCENE OF A BRUSH FIRE ON GREENWOOD LAKE TURNPIKE ON JUNE 17, 1978. LT JENKINS WAS STRUCK BY A DRUNK DRIVER. THIS IS THE ONLY LINE OF DUTY DEATH IN ALL OF RINGWOOD'S EMERGENCY SERVICES (POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE CORPS).
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, THEN AGE 20, WAS CHARGED WITH: DRUNKEN AND RECKLESS DRIVING, POSSESSION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA, AND DEATH BY AUTO.
West Milford firefighter Raymond Barrett, 62, died after collapsing while battling a house fire. Firefighter Barrett was manning a hose when he was stricken. He was carried out of the house by fellow firefighters. He had been a member of the Apshawa Fire Company for 31 years. Barrett was a past chief of the Apshawa Fire Company and a decorated Vietnam veteran. His son Wayne is also an active member of the Apshawa Fire Company. Barrett leaves his wife Elaine and two sons. The fire which started in the kitchen at 34 Navajo Trail was called in at 2:49 PM. Community and Macopin Fire Companies also responded to the fire. The Officers and members of the Skyline Lake Fire Department send our condolences to the family of Firefighter Barrett and our brothers and sisters in West Milford for the loss of our brother.