Former Albany Fire Department Chief passes away

The Albany Fire Department announced that Retired Chief of Department James W. Larson passed away on Tuesday.

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Fire Department announced that Retired Chief of Department James W. Larson passed away on Tuesday. Chief Larson was a member of the Albany Fire Department for 32 years after being appointed in November 1968.

Chief Larson served as Chief of Department from December 1987 to November 2000. The Albany Fire Department and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan shared their condolences with the Larson family.

"I join Fire Department Chief Joseph Gregory in sharing my condolences with the entire Larson family. Funeral arrangements are pending. In honor of Chief Larson's decades of public service, I have directed all flags in the City of Albany be lowered to half-staff until further notice," Mayor Sheehan said.