New York Officials Honor Hudson Valley 1st Responders After Loss

The Hudson Valley first responder community is coming together to remember a Plattekill couple whose impact reached far beyond their own hometown.

Fire departments, EMS agencies, and fellow first responders who knew the Plattekill couple are sharing their grief and memories online, painting a picture of two people who gave everything to their communities.

Hudson Valley First Responders Remember Jimmy And Mindy Brugger: 'Gone But Will Never Be Forgotten

Since news broke of the deaths of James "Jimmy" Brugger and his wife Melinda "Mindy" Brugger, tributes have been pouring in from across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Found Dead In Ulster County Late Friday

Jimmy and Mindy were found dead late Friday night at their home on Milton Turnpike in the Town of Plattekill. The Ulster County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, and the Plattekill Police Department are investigating.

Authorities say there is no threat to the public.

Joe Franco, who retired just last month as Chief of the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, wrote a tribute on Facebook. Franco and Jimmy worked together years ago on Engine 1, Group 2, when both were young firefighters just starting out.

City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department NY Local 596

"I was awoken this morning to absolutely horrible news," Franco wrote. "I'm floored at the moment." He noted that Jimmy played the bagpipes at his retirement walkout and that the two had spoken on the phone just last week. "I know they are both in Heaven," he added, asking the public not to speculate about what happened until official information is released.

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The Plattekill Fire Department, where Jimmy served as Past Chief and Mindy served as Past EMS Captain, called the news "devastating."

The department said it is extending its deepest condolences to the Brugger family and asked that everyone give the family space and privacy as arrangements are made.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger also released a statement, saying both Jimmy and Mindy "dedicated their lives to serving and protecting their communities" and that their loss is felt deeply across the entire region.

Kerhonkson-Accord First Aid Squad Chief Douglas Finney-Carter wrote one of the most personal tributes, saying Jimmy instructed him and several KAFAS members personally.

"Jimmy was a teacher and mentor," Finney-Carter wrote. "The knowledge he shared, the lessons he taught, and the example he set will continue to live on every time one of us answers the call."

He described Jimmy and Mindy together as a couple who didn't just do service; they lived it.

The Cronomer Valley Fire Department noted that its ties with Jimmy went back to the late 1980s, and reminded the community that the Plattekill Fire Department will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next week.

They remembered Jimmy not just for his decades of service, but for his love of the Hudson River and his bagpipes, saying he made friends with everyone along the way.

The West Hurley Fire Department shared that Jimmy personally trained the majority of their firefighters, from basic fire classes all the way up to advanced training, and also led their department's yearly OSHA safety training.

They called him "a true legend of the fire service" and noted he was also a passionate advocate for first responder health and cancer awareness. "He was always a phone call away," the department wrote.

The Ellenville Fire District noted that Jimmy spent 27 and a half years with the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department before retiring as a Lieutenant, and that at the time of his death he was also an active member of the Milton Fire Department. "We will see you on the floor above," they wrote.

Authorities have not released a cause of death. Hudson Valley Post will continue to update this story as information becomes available.