Firefighter's widow receives stunning find from scene of deadly Boston fire
A funeral is scheduled in Boston Thursday for firefighter Michael Kennedy. Kennedy was killed along with firefighter Lt. Edward Walsh last week in the line of duty. They died after being trapped in the basement of a burning brownstone.
A funeral for Walsh was held Wednesday in Watertown, Mass. A somber procession of firefighters from across the country, and as far away as Australia, who came to honor his sacrifice.
Walsh's sister, Kathy Malone, eulogized her brother, saying, "He had the voice of authority long before he had the rank of lieutenant. And he lived more in 42 years than many of us will do in 80."
Inside the Church Walsh's widow, Kristen, sat with her three children, all under age 10.
But perhaps the most moving tribute to Walsh was done outside of public view.Kristen Walsh asked the Boston Fire Department for one thing following her husband's death -- to find his wedding ring. Fire investigator Patricia Donovan was one of the firefighters sent to search the burned-out building.
Donovan said, "We started going through the debris. And I was going through it, and I saw something round with the sifter that I had, and I picked it up, and cleaned it off a little, and I slid it on my hand, and I was like, 'Oh my God this is it,' and like, 'I found it,' and just chills went through my body."
The members of Walsh's firehouse, Station 33, arrived at his wake on Tuesday to deliver the ring to his wife.
When Kristen Walsh put the ring on her finger, Donovan said, "You know, you get a lump in your throat. We all gave her a hug."
The funeral Mass for Michael Kennedy, the other firefighter killed, will take place on at Holy Name Catholic Church. Kennedy was 33 years old. He was a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq.