Attica - Retired Fire Chief Jack "Ed" O'Farrell, 80, Attica, answered his final alarm at Rosewalk Village in Lafayette, IN, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 3:02 a.m.
Ed, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 9, 1945.  He was the son of the late Patrick Edward and Mary Margaret (Lighthall) O'Farrell.  Ed grew up in Speedway and graduated from Speedway High School in 1963.  He later received his Associate's Degree from Indiana Business College.
Ed moved to Attica in 1980, where he began working at Harrison Steel Castings Company as Safety Director.  He worked at Harrison Steel from 1980 until his retirement in 2012. Ed was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Attica.
Ed dedicated his life to the Fire Service and EMS. His knowledge and skills were instrumental in the education of innumerable members of the emergency service community. He joined the Speedway Civil Defense in 1963. His very first run was to the Indiana Coliseum explosion.  He is a lifetime member of Wayne Township Fire Dept. in Indianapolis, spending most of his time there at Station 9. Upon moving to Attica, he became a member of the Williamsport Fire Department. He was also a member of Warren County Rescue and the Warren County Ambulance Service.  He joined the Attica Fire Department in 1993. He served as Chief for the Attica Volunteer Fire Department from 1997  until his retirement in 2020.  Ed taught a multitude of rescue classes, including FireFighter I & II, First Responder,  EMT Basic, Rope Rescue, Hazmat, Confined Space, and Farmedic. He served on the Tri-County Fire board, Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, and Indiana EMS Education Committee. He was named Primary Instructor of the year in 1987. He was instrumental in starting the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing which helps first responders mentally process and cope with particularly difficult runs.  His dedication and commitment to the Fire Service can not be surpassed and will be greatly missed.
On November 28, 1964, Ed married Kay Ellen Ward in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Indianapolis.
Ed leaves behind his wife, Kay, of nearly 61 years, along with three children,
Scott (Kathy) O'Farrell, Indianapolis; Beth (Bob) Askren and Melissa O'Farrell, both of Attica; six grandchildren, Grace Todd, Caleb (fiancée - Ally) Askren, Carragan (Kyle) Stockdale, Jacob Jernagan, Kayce Jernagan, and Quinlan Jernagan; two great grandchildren, Reagan Askren and Ella Thomerson; a brother, John (Connie) O'Farrell, Beaverton, OR, and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Williamsport Fire Department on Sunday, October 26, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow with family and friends sharing memories.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed O'Farrell Memorial Scholarship helping those who wish to pursue emergency services education. Ed O'Farrell Scholarship Fund c/o Warren County Community Foundation, 31 N. Monroe St., Williamsport, IN  47993. Place O'Farrell Scholarship Fund in memo.
Rest easy, Chief. We'll take it from here.