Boston Firefighter's Final Act Saved Five Lives

Seconds before a three-story building collapsed in Dorchester, Boston firefighter Robert "BK" Kilduff Jr. shouted for his team to get back. His warning saved multiple lives, though he fell with the collapsing structure.

Kilduff, a member of Boston's elite Rescue 2 unit, died doing what he'd done his entire career: putting others first. All five residents made it out alive, and his fellow firefighters escaped the collapse because of his quick thinking.

At his funeral Monday, hundreds filled The Cathedral of the Holy Cross while thousands lined Washington Street outside. "He spent so much time helping others, he rarely had time for himself," said fellow Rescue 2 firefighter Vic Gaybor.

Gaybor called Kilduff "the natural" for his firefighting skills, but said his courage was unmatched. "He was the one I wanted on my side," Gaybor said, pausing to collect himself before adding, "I wish I could tell you how much I love you."

His daughter Hanna Jane, 24, told mourners her dad worked tirelessly for the fire department, the union, and volunteer organizations like the Gary Sinise Foundation. "Nobody was out of the bounds of his compassion," she said.

But family always came first. "He used to say that the only thing he loved more than being a firefighter was being our dad," Hanna Jane shared.

His son Mason, 22 and a Marine like his father, described Kilduff as his best friend. During bootcamp when phone calls weren't allowed, Kilduff wrote him 30 letters that Mason still keeps.

"I think if I could be half as good," Mason said, "we'd be in good shape."

Why This Inspires

Hanna Jane said her father understood how precious and fragile life is, so he never postponed joy or time with loved ones. That lesson resonates beyond the fire service.

His girlfriend Jess Spruell noted that thousands came to honor him not because of titles or accomplishments, but because of how he made them feel. "If love could have kept someone here forever, BK would have been here a very long time," she said.

Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall called Kilduff "a good jake," the highest firefighter compliment. But he added that Kilduff "preferred to be known as a great dad, a great partner."

As bagpipes played Amazing Grace and thousands of first responders gave their final salute, the grey morning sky had turned sunny.