| Updated: 1/05 5:30 pm |
Published: 1/04 8:49 pm
|
James O'Neal is out of the hospital. The Tulsa firefighter was injured in a fire on New Year's Eve and had been in ICU for several days.
On Wednesday, A little boy and his infant cousin got some special gifts from Santa and Tulsa firefighters after their Christmas presents were damaged in a New Year’s Eve arson.
An arsonist burned down Kameron Williams and his family’s home in the 4900 block of North Elwood last Saturday. That same fire injured Tulsa firefighter James O’Neal.
Now donors from across the country are donating to the reward to help catch the fire starter. "I belong to a club no one wants to join and that’s being in a fire when a firefighter is injured,” says retired New York City firefighter Sean Hickey.
Hickey is a 9-11 survivor who lost 26 friends in the attack. He searched for survivors in the rubble and now retired after medical issues connected to the terrorist attacks.
"It's a natural response that we take care of eachother,” says Hickey.
He’s donating $500 to help with the arson reward that is now up to $4,000.
"I want to see the look on his face when he realizes that when you hurt one of ours we will go out of our way to assist in your capture,” says Hickey.
The retired firefighter, who now lives in California, says he learned about O’Neal from a friend who ironically is also the landlord of the home torched by an arsonist.
He contacted Tulsa’s Assistant Fire Marshal and Public Information Officer Stan May because he wants the arsonist caught.
"I would like him to sit in his jail cell realizing that money is flowing in from firefighters, concerned officers, citizens, police officers across this country to capture him,” says Hickey.
Hickey says the brotherhood goes beyond New York and 9-11 and beyond the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing attacks.
“They are our sister city, they know what we have been through. I know the FDNY sent a response team to help the guys in Oklahoma, the way I know Oklahoma helped us dig and look for our lost brothers.
Local firefighters are humbled and have no doubt their brothers would step in.
"The brotherhood is still alive and very strong and it's not just here it's every brotherhood nationwide amongst each other. We understand what we go through and how it affects us,” says Tulsa Fire Department Captain Keith Beck.
Hickey says he’ll continue to donate until the arsonist is caught. "It makes me feel good to know that there is a dollar amount that there is somebody to turn this person in,” says Hickey.
It will be a long recovery for one of his own. "I am so happy that Mr. O'Neal is making a recovery,” says Hickey.
A family who lost their home is also thankful O’Neal is alive and they still have their family.
"I am speechless and could not have a heart. Heartless,” says fire victim Stephanie Jackson. "Even though it started on the last day of the year, it's a whole new start for us.”
Hickey says he hopes he’s encouraged anyone who has information about the arson to come forward.
"Whoever did this is eventually going to hurt, maim or kill another person. He needs to be taken off the street where he belongs,” says Hickey.
Veteran firefighter James O’Neal is out of the hospital and able to talk with his family but he still has a long recovery.
"The guys that pulled out firefighter O’Neal, those guys like myself, have a tough road to go down. There is nothing in the world then pulling out a brother firefighter out of a fire. What that does to you changes your life forever,” say Hickey.
The fire marshal is still investigating the arson and trying to determine if there was a problem with O’Neal’s equipment.
The Crime Commission has donated $750, Local International Association of Firefighters 176 donated a $1,000, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett also donated $500 out of his own wallet and $500 from his oil company and retired fireman and businessman Brett Baker donated $500 along with businessman Robin Lees. Hickey says a friend also offered a $250 donation for O’Neal’s recovery.
Your tip could earn you a cash reward if it leads to a conviction. Call (918) 596-ARSN (2776)
A recovery fund has been established for O'Neal at the Firefighters Credit Union at 9200 E 41st St. or by calling
1-800-786-FFCU.
