Dead Mass. Firefighter's Stolen Helmet Returned

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. --

The helmet that had been stolen after the funeral of Framingham firefighter Mike Urban was returned to his widow Saturday.

Urban's widow Maureen, was given the helmet back at a small ceremony at Framingham fire headquarters.

"For the person who turned this in, thank you for making the right decision," said Maureen Urban. "I can't hold him anymore, but I can hold onto the helmet."

The firefighter's helmet was dropped off anonymously at an unmanned fire station in Middleborough Friday night, Fire Chief Lance Benjamino said. A caller said the helmet could be found in a backpack behind the station.

You know it may only be worth a few hundred dollars material wise, but the sentimental value is priceless to a firefighter's family, said Benjamino.

Urban, 57, died Jan. 7 after battling lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Maureen Urban said the helmet was taken from her nephew Ben Delaneys locked, broken-down car during a snowstorm in Middleborough last Tuesday, hours after it had been presented to her at last week's funeral.

Delaney left the helmet in the car while he went for help. When he returned, he found his car had been broken into, the windows smashed and the helmet stolen.

I was devastated, said Dalaney. Knowing how much it means to a firefighter, to Maureen to lose an heirloom like that. It was awful.

Maureen Urban stands with her husband's helmet after it was returned to her. Standing with Urban is her nephew, Ben Delaney, whose car was broken into -- the helmet among the items stolen.

Before presenting it back to Maureen, Benjamino's 11-year-old son Mark handled the helmet with extreme care and respect before taking it out of the backpack it was being stored inside of.

I can understand this great disappointment for them when they found out the helmet was missing, said Mark Benjamino. When my dad told me they found it I was very excited to come here because I wanted to see him give it back.

Earlier Friday, friends had posted a $1,500 reward for the return of the helmet.

Middleborough police are still investigating the theft. There have been no arrests.

Urban said she still hasnt decided where she will put the helmet, but she does know it will be on prominently displayed in her home.

I can hold onto the helmet and try to remember all the good stories he told me about the Framingham Fire department, the people he helped and the great men and women that he worked with, said Urban.

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