By FireRescue1 Staff
MONTGOMERY, Ind. — Hundreds gathered to honor a fallen firefighter who died after he was “run over” by another firefighter at the scene of a crash.
The Herald reported that over 900 people, including 210 first responders and over 50 fire units, honored Kendall Murphy at his funeral with an honor guard entourage and bagpipe corps.
“I think it’s important for the community to recognize that when somebody falls in their service, he didn’t lose his life that night, he gave his life,” Supporting Heroes executive director Eric Johnson said. “He responded to help others. He went into a dangerous environment; he knew the risks. Anytime you respond to a wreck on a roadway, it is a risk. He knowingly, willingly went into harm’s way and he did that on behalf of the community.”
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch spoke at the funeral on behalf of Gov. Eric Holcomb, and pastor Josh Swartzentruber described Murphy as “hilarious.”
“His laugh was always something that made me laugh,” Swartzentruber said.
Murphy’s fiancé, Jessica Padgett, read a letter she had written for their wedding.
“This is not the end. You will always be the one that was meant for me,” Padgett said after reading the letter.
A ceremonial Ringing of the Bell was conducted by firefighters and each of Murphy’s colleagues placed a white carnation in a single row on Murphy’s casket. The funeral was concluded with a final dispatcher’s End of Watch Call.