“...401 will have command.”

With those four words, responders rushing to countless emergency or fire calls since 1978 have mustered on, reassured that whatever the call presented — from raging structure fires, hazardous materials incidents, horrific car crashes, water or forest rescues, and even routine investigations that might require something as simple as replacing a smoke alarm battery — would be managed with the utmost efficiency and professionalism.

On Friday, July 8, our community lost one of its unique heroes, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief William Halstead. According to members of his fire company, including those who were the first to rush to his home to provide immediate medical aid late Friday night, it appears he died peacefully in his sleep after a brief illness.

Referring to his typical sign-on mentioned above, Halstead's radio identification was 401, indicating the lead officer (01) for Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, which is represented in Newtown by the number 4. It is also important to note — and fitting of the man who was at times so much larger than life to the many who respected and admired him — that one of Halstead’s last actions prior to his passing was responding to an emergency call for help earlier that evening.

Our most sincere condolences, and that of the entire community, are extended to members of the fire company, all who knew him, and especially his wife and Newtown’s Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead, his daughters Karin and Krista; his son, Bill Jr; and grandchildren, Ryan and Nathan Halstead, Eliza and Evelyn Earle, and Emma Guilfoil.

A lifelong resident of Newtown, Halstead not only served as one of Connecticut’s longest tenured fire chiefs, he also served Newtown as its Director of Emergency Management, and its Fire Marshal until his retirement in 2016. Prior to that he served on the Fairfield Hills Fire Department when the state hospital employed its own fire protection service.

There, he rose through the ranks to eventually become its Chief, as well.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal captured a sentiment that many likely shared in the hours after Halstead’s passing, when he stated “[Bill] was, without question, the foundation of Newtown’s emergency services apparatus. His gifts to Newtown are immeasurable. I will miss hearing '401 is on,' all the time on the scanner, but I will miss his smile and friendship most.”

Halstead not only embodied the spirit of true leadership, he also had a talent for improvising and directing responders during critical calls to ensure that life and property were protected and preserved whenever possible. And in the face of tragic losses, he had a remarkable ability to comfort victims or survivors with immense understanding, empathy, and compassion.

This was never more evident than in the moments and hours following 12/14, where he initially led first responders to Sandy Hook Elementary School that terrible Friday morning, and then oversaw operations at his adjacent fire headquarters as families gathered — some to receive the most devastating news of their lives.

“Chief,” as he was referred to by so many, described his leadership style in a Newtown Bee profile on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of service to SHVFR as “strict but fair.” And the longevity and popularity he enjoyed among members of the volunteer company’s community was attributed to Halstead’s ability to inspire a sense of satisfaction that all his volunteer colleagues derived from helping people in need.

The teamwork required to both lead, and sustain necessary membership in a volunteer organization like SHVFR, he added, fosters a sense of camaraderie that creates a social bond.

Today, the Newtown community mourns the immense loss of a bond that fused Halstead’s talents to his sense of service, community preservation, and protection.

To say Chief Halstead will be missed is a massive understatement. We trust that the leadership skills, advice, mentorship, and that ultimate sense of service he exemplified throughout his life toward his neighbors and fellow firefighters will never, ever be forgotten.

Chief William Halstead, we salute you.