Ask any one of his many friends and they'll say with certainty that the fire lieutenant who was killed on Sept. 11 was there in spirit at the inaugural Stephen "Hangdown" Harrell Memorial Jam yesterday--and loving every minute.
With performances from six bands comprised of firefighters and local musicians, the giant party, held at Camp Kaufman in Sea View, served as a fitting tribute to Harrell, whose passion for music was as strong as his love of fighting fires.
A talented singer, songwriter and musician, "He would be the first guy to step up and play for a benefit like we're doing for him today," said Kevin Kelly, a friend and fellow firefighter.
Kelly, along with Harrell's friends Jim Steinhilber, Mike King and Dennis Barnes, organized the event, held to benefit the Elsasser Fund, Firefighters Transport Foundation and the Holly Rae Harrell Fund, established in his 7-year-old daughter's name.
Raised in Midland Beach, Harrell, a 15-year veteran of the department, was a resident of Warwick, N.Y. Promoted to lieutenant in 1998, Harrell, 44, was assigned to Ladder Co. 157, Brooklyn, but was working at Ladder Co. 10 across the street from the World Trade Center when the attacks took place.
Harrell was the officer on duty with the "probies" -- probationary firefighters -- on Sept. 11, and the unit was among the first units to respond to when Tower 1 was hit.
"On Sept. 11 when we were going in there, they knew what was going to happen, but we couldn't stop them," said Capt. Mike Meagher of Engine Co. 255, Ladder 157. "Steve was the first guy up the stairs.
"He was the highest one up in that building," said Steve Stora, a firefighter who worked with Harrell. "The guys took a break on the 35th floor, and he just kept on going. He knew there were people who needed help. He just kept going."
Harrell's brother Harvey, 49, a lieutenant with Rescue Co. 5, Concord, was also killed when the Twin Towers collapsed.
Staten Island Advance, 2001