Edward Thompson (July 19, 1913 – August 5, 1995) was appointed the 19th Fire Commissioner of the City of New York by Mayor

Robert F. Wagner Robert Ferdinand Wagner I (June 8, 1877May 4, 1953) was a German-born American attorney and Democratic Party politician who represented the state of New York in the United States Senate from 1927 to 1949. Born in Prussia, Wagner immigrated ...

on January 1, 1962, and served in that position until his resignation on August 6, 1964. The FDNY has named a medal for Outstanding Courage in his honor.

Biography

He was born in

Queens, New York Queens is the largest by area of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered by the ...

on July 19, 1913, to Herman Thompson and Gertrude Emma Baatz. While attending the

Brooklyn Law School Brooklyn Law School (BLS) is a Private university, private law school in New York City. Founded in 1901, it has approximately 1,100 students. Brooklyn Law School's faculty includes 60 full-time faculty, 15 emeriti faculty, and adjunct faculty. ...

in 1936 he became a probationary firefighter, later being promoted to a lieutenant in a hook-and-ladder company. In 1938 Mayor

Fiorello La Guardia Fiorello Henry La Guardia (born Fiorello Raffaele Enrico La Guardia; December 11, 1882September 20, 1947) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as the 99th mayor of New Yo ...

appointed him as an assistant legal counsel to the

New York City Fire Department The New York City Fire Department, officially the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is the full-service fire department of New York City, serving all Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs. The FDNY is responsible for providing Fi ...

where he prosecuted fire-code violators. He was appointed the 19th

New York City Fire Commissioner The New York City fire commissioner is the civilian administrator of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and is appointed by the mayor of the City of New York. Prior to 1865, the New York City Fire Department was staffed by volunteers. On ...

by Mayor

on January 1, 1962, and he served in that position until his resignation on August 6, 1964. He died on August 5, 1995, in

Babylon, New York The Town of Babylon is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, United States. Its population was 218,223 as of the 2020 census. Parts of Jones Beach Island, Captree Island and Fire Island are in the southernmost part of the town. It borde ...

of cancer.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Edward Brooklyn Law School alumni Commissioners of the New York City Fire Department 1913 births 1995 deaths