07/24/2026
🕯️Five years have passed, but the memory of Captain Thomas (“Roydsy”) Royds remains as strong as ever.🕯️
Today, we remember a firefighter, a brother, a mentor, and a friend whose selfless service, larger-than-life personality, and unwavering dedication to others continue to inspire us every day.
Captain Royds made the ultimate sacrifice in the Line of Duty on July 24, 2021, while operating on the Schuylkill Expressway. Early that morning, Captain Royds was serving with Belmont Hills Fire Company when crews from Belmont Hills, Gladwyne Volunteer Fire Company, Narberth Ambulance and the PA State Police responded to the incident.
Captain Royds’ untimely death left an unfillable void, and his absence continues to be felt across the three firehouses he proudly called home: Union Fire Association, Belmont Hills Fire Company, and Clifton Heights Fire Company.
He wasn’t just someone who wore the uniform. He embodied the very best of the fire service. Whether answering alarms, mentoring younger members, or simply making everyone around him smile, Captain Royds left an impact that time can never erase.
As we mark the fifth anniversary of his passing, we remember not only the day we lost him, but also the countless lives he touched through his kindness, leadership, and unwavering dedication to his fellow firefighters and the communities he so faithfully served.
Today, our thoughts are with Captain Royds’ family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and serving beside him.
Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. We miss you every day. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of you. Thank you for your sacrifice, your friendship, and your example. We will never forget you. Rest easy, brother. We’ll take it from here.
Lower Merion Fire Department
Lower Merion Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 2844
