Funeral held for Chicago firefighter who drowned while swimming at 31st Street Beach
CHICAGO (CBS) --
There was a mix of handshakes and hugs as Hayes' coworkers packed Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home in Oakbrook Terrace, paying their respects to the 14-year CFD veteran.
Hayes had just finished his shift on July 30 when he met up with his family at 31st Street Beach for a swim before he was pulled underwater by powerful currents. Fire Department crews quickly responded and pulled him out of the water, but he later died at University of Chicago Medical Center.
At his visitation on Wednesday, members of the Chicago Fire Department lined up to honor the firefighter/EMT for a walk-through, each passing by his casket.
Chicago Fire Department leaders asked people to keep Hayes's family and colleagues in their prayers.
