Buffalo Firefighter Suspended After Bar Incident at The Blackthorn

There was an incident at a local bar between a few off-duty Buffalo firefighters during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations. 

While the firefighters were off-duty, they were reportedly seen wearing their uniforms. 

One of the firefighters involved in the exchange at the bar, known as The Blackthorn Restaurant & Rub, was hospitalized with a head injury. It is not clear if it resulted in a concussion or not. 

Police were able to respond to the call for help Saturday shortly after the event occurred in the early evening. 

The injured firefighter has now been identified as Derek Rose, who was taken to ECMC for treatment. Rose is still in critical condition in the hospital’s trauma ICU.

Repercussions have been decided for the other firefighter involved in the situation. The department decided to suspend the other for 30 days without pay, according to a recent report from News 4. They also confirmed the identity of the suspended firefighter to be Richard Manley.

Both men were in uniform at the time of the incident, which is still under investigation with the district attorney’s office and the Buffalo police department.

If you have information on the altercation, you can call the police department’s confidential line at (716) 847-2255 or the DA’s office at (716) 858-2424.

Due to these unforeseen medical expenses, a friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help aid the Rose family. 

The GoFundMe page says:

“Unfortunately, over St. Patrick's Day weekend, our friend, a father, son, husband and Buffalo Firefighter, Derek Rose was involved in an incident which has left him in critical condition. As of this writing, he is still hospitalized at ECMC with a head injury following multiple surgeries. The details of the incident are still being investigated, so at this time the family asks that we respect the privacy and fluidity of the situation and to please assist with as little or as much as you feel comfortable giving. Those who know Derek also know that he would give the shirt off his back for a stranger and risks his life daily for the safety of his fellow man. The family needs all the support we can give at this time and hopes to have more clarity on the specifics as time goes on.”

If you can help the Rose family, the link to the GoFundMe page can be found here.