Memorial held in honor of Rockbottom Dam victims

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) - It's been half a century since the worst tragedy in the history of the Binghamton Fire Department.

A ceremony was held Monday morning at the black granite memorial to Chief John Cox, Captain Donald McGeever, and firefighter John Russell, who all gave their lives in the line of duty 50 years ago.

On September 28th, 1975, firefighter Russell went missing while trying to rescue two youth who had capsized their raft at the Rockbottom Dam on the Susquehanna River.

The following day, Chief Cox and Captain McGeever also drowned while trying to retrieve Russell's body.

Russell's widow Patricia Ackerman had three young children at the time, ages 8, 5 and 3.

Ackerman says her husband's colleagues never forgot.

"I'm just overwhelmed by the attendance and how many