It was a job as the Finance Director for the Town of Simsbury that brought Richard Kelleher and his family to town. Known to his friends as Dick, he always had a special love for the fire service. His father had been a Hartford City firefighter retiring with the rank of Captain, and Dick had always wanted to be one too. Richard Kelleher joined the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company on September 26, 1975 an was assigned to Bushy Hill Station. He was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant in October 1981.

On the morning of November 6, 1981, a fire erupted at the Knights of Columbus Hall behind St. Mary's Church in Simsbury. The fire started in the garage and quickly extended throughout the second floor. The fire was well underway when the first units arrived on-scene. Approximately sixty-five firefighters answered the call that morning, including Dick Kelleher.

Crews went to work to bring the fire under control. Roof ventilation operations were ordered, and teams began to advance hose lines by several different points of access. Dick Kelleher was with a team on an exterior stairway helping to take a line to the second floor when he collapsed. Lt. Richard Kelleher died that morning of an apparent heart attack and sadly became the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company's first and only line of duty death. He was thirty-seven years young.

Over 700 people, including 400 firefighters, gathered to mourn Dick Kelleher's passing. Lieutenant Richard Kelleher was buried with honors and laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, Connecticut. En route to the cemetery, the funeral procession drove past the West Hartford Fire Department Headquarters on Brace Road. The West Hartford firefighters and apparatus turned out on the apron as a sign of respect for their fallen brother.

	Dick Kelleher emcees the retirement dinner for dispatcher George Zedlitz in October 1980.

Dick Kelleher left behind a wife Ann, a daughter Sharon, and a son Ricky, who in later years went on to follow in his father's footsteps, and become a firefighter in the Newington Volunteer Fire Company in Newington, Connecticut.

This marker in remembrance of Richard Kelleher adorns the front lawn of the Main Station.

Next to Dick Kelleher's love for his family was his love for the Fire Company, as he was always very active and involved. He was known for his jokes, his smile, his enthusiasm and his dedication to the fire service. As one long-standing member from the Company put it, "Once you knew him, you never forgot him."

In honor of his service and his sacrifice, the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company founded the Lieutenant Richard Kelleher Memorial Scholarship. Each year, the staff at Simsbury High School selects an applicant to receive the scholarship. The scholarship is open to all Simsbury High School graduating students and interested persons should inquire at the guidance office for more information. In addition to the scholarship, each year members of the Simsbury Fire District and Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, along with invited guests, gather for an awards dinner to recognize milestones in service, and to acknowledge members who have made outstanding individual contributions to the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. This dinner is named in honor and memory of Lieutenant Richard Kelleher who gave his life in the line of duty.