Firefighters Travel Far To Honor Worcester Firefighter Davies
WORCESTER (CBS) - As thousands of firefighters lined the funeral route for Worcester firefighter Jon Davies Thursday, many of them came from across the state and the country never knowing him.
View: Images From The Funeral
He is a fallen brother to everyone, a brotherhood that firefighters say connects all departments.
"It's in our blood," said New London, Connecticut firefighter Todd Patton.
Firefighters saluted in unison as the casket was carried into Mount Carmel church. It is the moment when the brotherhood is sealed.
Read: Jon Davies: Life Legacy
"We all know what the family is going through, and what the family of firefighters is going through," said Portland, Maine firefighter Steve Boucher, who was in nearly the same spot 12 years ago for the funerals of the men known as the Worcester Six who lost their lives in the Worcester Cold Storage Building.
"We're really shocked and saddened by what the department is going through. Another death in a short time almost to the day," he said.
Deputy Chief Mike Ogle of the Toronto, Canada fire department says it's important for families to see the support as they make their way to the church.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano reports
"I hope they look at that, and that it helps them in their experience of loss of life. I think it does," he said.
Firefighters say the funeral is a reminder of the inherent risks in their job, despite all their training.
Never knowing what will happen when the bells rings for the next call.
"We all know it's part of our job. We were hired knowing that we live everyday with that," said Nashua, New Hampshire firefighter Tom Perault.
