WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont is directing U.S. and state flags to lower to half-staff in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr. a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, who died in the line of duty on Tuesday.
Sharkevich, 66, was also a former member of the Hartford Fire Department and died while responding to a brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.
Lamont said flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of internment, which has not been determined.
Lamont said in a statement that Sharkevich died while bravely and courageously responding to the fire.
"His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic," Lamont said. "On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.
Sharkevich died in a UTV crash Tuesday just after 5:30 p.m. Officials said the crash was reported at the south end of Lamentation Mountain, where four firefighters were helping battle the fire. Meriden officials said three other firefighters were also injured in the crash and were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police said they learned that the UTV was driving along a "steep rocky incline" while responding to the brush fire when it rolled over onto Sharkevich.
Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio said Tuesday that he knew Sharkevich for "quite some time."
"The friendships run deep here, and there's long-lasting relationships between these people, so we're a tight-knit family," Massirio said. "It's definitely felt throughout the surrounding towns; it's not just a Wethersfield thing or a Berlin thing, Newington. We're a family, and it affects everybody here."
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Sharkevich's death is a "tragic reminder" of the sacrifice and risks firefighters face daily.
“Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero," Bysiewicz said. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department, and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”
State Senator Matthew Lesser, who serves Wethersfield, said on X, "My heart aches for the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and for all Connecticut firefighters. I will never not be in awe of people who put themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe."
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon also voiced his condolences on X, saying: "Thoughts and prayers for the firefighter killed this afternoon in Berlin. A somber reminder that our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe."
In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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