Firefighter Killed In Texas Blast Laid To Rest
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The funeral service was held this morning in Palos Hills for Kevin Sanders, the former south suburban firefighter who was among 15 people killed two weeks ago in a fertilizer plant explosion in Texas.
Fallen Firefighter Remembered
Sanders was a volunteer firefighter and was taking EMT classes when he died, WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports.
He worked for several years for the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency.
A Plainfield fire truck was parked outside Sacred Heart Catholic Church this morning, draped in purple bunting.
Nearby, sat Sanders' fire-engine-red sports car, driven here by his brother-in-law.
First responders saluted as the casket was brought inside the church.
Those gathered for the service included John Konopek, the Plainfield emergency management agency director.
He said, "It's a sad day for all emergency responders, but especially Kevin's family and friends, but on the other hand its a great way to honor someone who truly died a hero."
The State Fire Marshall, Larry Matkaitis, said, "Kevin was a hero. He was a hero here in Illinois, he was especially a hero in Texas. Anybody goes out there to volunteer, put your life at risk and what have you, what better thing could you do."
Kevin Sanders was 33.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their son, Reeve, named after Christopher Reeve.
Sanders was a big Superman fan.
