Families, colleagues, residents pay respects to fallen Chicago firefighters
CHICAGO (CBS) – The journey to say goodbye to two Chicago firefighters who died in the line of duty this week has begun.
As CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reported Friday, Lt. Jan Tchoryk was respectfully escorted to a funeral home on the morning of this solemn Good Friday. Firefighter Jermaine Pelt was solemnly guided to a funeral home in the afternoon.
Police officers and firefighters from across the city and the suburbs escorted Pelt to the funeral home in Oak Lawn. They were also joined by plenty of residents who had no connection to police or fire, but wanted to pay their respects.
Kristine Ermel came to watch the procession.
"I think firemen, you never know if you're coming back," she said. "Police officers, same way. But three of them in a month is just horrific."
Hickey: "One after another like that really hit you."
Ermel: "Yeah, absolutely."
This was the final stop of the procession that started at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Pelt's brothers and sisters in public service guided his body more than 14 miles to the southwest suburbs of the city.
"They're all a great, big brotherhood, or family," said Lisa Nordstrom, who also came to watch the procession.
Meanwhile outside George Henry Corliss High School, at 821 E. 103rd St. in the Pullman community, family and friends Pelt's gathered to remember a gentle giant.
Pelt graduated from Corliss in 1992 and remained active in the alumni association.
"He was one of the most committed members of our class," said Stephanie Harris, one of Pelt's classmates. "Whatever we did, he showed up."
And that is why Pelt's fellow Corliss alumni showed up Friday night to wrap their arms around his family – just hours after the procession carried him to the funeral home in Oak Lawn.
"Jermaine has made me a very proud father for the things that he achieved in life," said Pelt's father, John Pelt.
The fallen firefighter's father said he is grateful for the love his family is receiving in their tough time.
"We loved him, and we still love him - and you can see all the love around you," said John Pelt. "Can't you feel it."
By releasing balloons Friday evening, the family released sone of their pain – and not only for Firefighter Pelt.
"Heartbreaking for two firemen at one time, back-to-back," said his brother, Derrick Edwards Pelt.
Pelt, an 18-year veteran of the department, died while battling a fire on Tuesday morning in West Pullman. He was manning a hose line.
The Medical Examiner's Office said he died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
"We've seen it twice in two days," said CBS 2's Kris Habermehl. "The ultimate sacrifice to keep the citizens of Chicago safe."
It was the second such procession on Friday. Earlier in the morning, an ambulance carried Tchoryk's body from the Medical Examiner's Office to the Norridge funeral home where his wake will be held.
Tchoryk collapsed in the stairwell in a Gold Coast high rise on Wednesday while leading his crew on their way to the 27th floor, where the fire started. An autopsy determined he died of natural causes, cardiovascular disease.
"I want to support the people who lost their family members," said Starr Stevens, who also came to view the procession. "When they were trying to help people stay safe."
Back in Oak Lawn, Pelt's body was draped in a Chicago flag and passed under the American flag raised on a tower ladder, as his community saluted him for his final sacrifice.
The visitation for Tchoryk will be on Wednesday at Cumberland Chapels, at 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. in Norridge, and the funeral is Thursday at St. Joseph Ukrainian Church, at 8851 W. Higgins Rd.
Arrangements for Pelt are still pending.