Saturday, May 17, 2025
Firefighters and first responders from the Five Towns, Baldwin and Long Beach gathered at Inwood Park on March 23 for a remembrance and rededication ceremony honoring the late 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford Jr. of the Inwood Fire Department.
Sanford, who was known as Junior, died on Dec. 23, 2014, four days after falling through the first floor into the basement while fighting a house fire in Woodmere. He was one of the first firefighters to respond to the blaze, at 787 Central Ave.
Sanford was the first African-American 1st deputy chief of the department, having made his way up the ranks during 19 years as a volunteer firefighter, after serving the required five-year probationary period. He became a lieutenant, captain and 1st deputy chief, and was named chief posthumously.
The ceremony was organized by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who announced that the former Negro Bar Channel, which flows through Inwood Park, will now be known as Joseph Sanford Jr. Channel.
The gathering included Sanford’s widow, Jacqueline, and daughter, Janisha, along with other family members; Assemblyman Ari Brown; Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby; Joseph Ramirez, representing Gov. Kathy Hochul; and State Supreme Court Justice Chris McGrath.
The ceremony opened with the Nassau County Firefighters Bagpipes and Drums band playing “God Bless America” and the Inwood Fire Department Color Guard presenting the flags.
Deacon Rashid Murad, of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, began the program with the invocation.
“We ask you (God) to continue to grant the Sanford family the courage and strength to embrace that void that impacted their family when you called your son, Joseph Sanford, Jr. back where he belongs with you,” Murad intoned, to a chorus of “Amen”s from the crowd.
Blakeman described Sanford as being beloved by the community and among his fellow firefighters.
“Junior’s bravery and courage is something that we should never, ever forget,” Blakeman said. “In Nassau County we honor those who have given their life for the betterment and safety of our community, and Junior was one of those guys. He was someone who everyone at the Inwood Fire Department admired, loved and felt camaraderie with because he was a nice and generous person.”
The Town of Hempstead, and Sen. Charles Schumer, collaborated to have the waterway renamed.
“Also, to eliminate the name of a waterway that was part of a sad history of racism in this country, this waterway is now known as the Joseph Sanford Jr. Channel,” Blakeman said. “He was a true leader, hero, role model, and he will never, ever be forgotten.”
Inwood Fire Department Chief Josiah Green noted that Sanford joined the department on Oct. 7, 1996, “loved the fire service” and was “a dedicated firefighter with a reputation as an excellent leader.”
Sanford became a lieutenant on March 12, 2005, and in March 2007 he was elected company captain. He became deputy chief in April 2009.
A sports enthusiast, he was a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and became a co-owner of the semi-professional football team the Nassau Golden Eagles.
“Junior’s infectious smile and love for his family was apparent to all that knew him,” Green said.
Jacqueline Sanford expressed her gratitude to the attendees for coming together to remember her late husband. “Although it’s been 10 years, our family still feels the pain and loss as if it were yesterday,” she said.
She was presented with a plaque of the same banner that was posted on the Inwood Fire Department truck, featuring her late husband’s photo, the department’s insignia and the words “Honor the legacy of Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr.”
“We are so proud of Joe and the accomplishments he made in his short time here and how wonderful it is to have a waterway named after him in his hometown that he served and protected,” Jacqueline said. “I hope you all take the good he has done and embrace it in your own lives.”
