It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share this very sad news with all of you. Our brother firefighter Kenneth J. McLaughlin died unexpectedly at home late Thursday afternoon February 10, 2022.

Ken had been an active member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department since 1966 and served as the department's Dive Captain for over 35 years. He was also a past Franklin County Deputy Fire Coordinator "Car-2" for many years. Ken previously served as 1st and 2nd Lieutenant as well as Captain of the Rescue Squad.

Ken was a veteran of the United States Army and served as a Sergeant with the Saranac Lake Police Department in the 1970's. Ken later went to work for the New York State Department of Correctional Services serving for more than 30 years holding many titles and rising through the ranks retiring as New York State Deputy Superintendent-Director of Operations. In 2010 Ken was elected as Village Judge and continued to serve as Harrietstown Judge.

Ken was a true public servant, loved by all of us. His loss will be deeply felt throughout our entire community and beyond. Ken deeply cared about everyone he met and always had our community, our members and our fire departments' best interest at heart. He loved being a firefighter, he loved our community, he loved his brother and sister firefighters and was especially passionate about being a public safety diver. He will be incredibly missed by all of us.

Ken was our "BlackwaterH20" and there will never be another like you brother. You have completed your shift, job well done. Godspeed Ken. We will take it from here.