The Kansas City Star, Mo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Family, friends and fellow Kansas City firefighters bid a ceremonial farewell to Terrance Crockett on Saturday.

Crockett, 48, collapsed while fighting a blaze Monday in a vacant dwelling in the 5500 block of Prospect Avenue. He was the first Kansas City firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2004.

A large American flag flew between two aerial ladder trucks during the funeral at Church Triumphant World Overcomers, 5101 Bristol Ave.

After the service, honor guards from the Kansas City and Topeka fire departments lifted Crockett's casket onto Pumper 30 for his last ride.

A procession of fire trucks, emergency vehicles and mourners passed Crockett's fire station near 75th Street and Prospect en route to Forest Hill Cemetery.

Crockett joined the Fire Department as a dispatcher and became a firefighter about eight years ago.

Chief Smokey Dyer had described Crockett as a "giant of a man" who, it seemed, always had to duck when entering a room. He said he never saw Crockett on duty without a smile.

Investigators have determined that the fire was arson. Crockett collapsed while working a hose being used to douse smoldering debris. He was taken to a hospital but could not be revived.

Although the cause of Crockett's death has not been determined, it is being investigated as a homicide because he died as the result of a crime.

Copyright 2008 The Kansas City Star