UPDATE (Wednesday, July 17, 2024): This story has been updated to reflect the correct age of Bill Halstead at the time of his death. It has also been updated to include First Selectman Jeff Capeci as one of the planned special guests.

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Readers are invited to join local officials, members of the family of the late William T. (Bill) Halstead, and members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company (SHVFR) on July 20 to dedicate a local bridge in honor of the late long-standing fire chief.

Halstead died unexpectedly on July 8, 2022. He was 73.

A lifelong resident of Sandy Hook, he had been a member of SHVFR for over 57 years, carrying on the legacy of his family members, including his mother, father, brother, and numerous aunts and uncles. He joined the department in January 1965 when he turned 16. He had served continuously as chief of the department for 44 years after being elected to the position in 1978.

Halstead had also worked for the State of Connecticut at Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown for 25 years. He was the chief of the hospital’s fire department until his retirement in 1997.

He also served as Deputy Fire Marshal for the Town of Newtown from 1983 to 2001, and became the full-time Marshal in 2001 until he retired from that position in 2016. He also served as Newtown’s Emergency Management Director for 23 years.

On July 20, Bridge No 00505, which carries State Route 6/Church Hill Road over I-84, will be formally renamed The Chief William T. Halstead Memorial Bridge.

His family, SHVFR members and friends will be at SHVFR’s main station, 18-20 Riverside Road, on Saturday, July 20, at 1:30 pm. They will be joined by State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello, and State Senator Tony Hwang, and First Selectman Jeff Capeci.

The ceremony will include a facsimile sign presentation and words from the Halstead family and friends. Refreshments will be served, and the event is free and open to the public.