Hartford Fire Department Mourns Former Chief

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Hartford is going to fly its flags at half-staff in honor of the city’s first African-American fire chief, who died due to complications from a fall.
John Stewart, Jr. was born in the city and joined the fire department in 1952.
He became the first black fire chief in New England when he took over the department in the 1980s and served as chief for 12 years before retiring. He then served as majority leader of the city council.
He died Sunday morning at 85. The