MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Firefighters in Alabama paid tribute to a firefighter whose body was returned home after he died in Iraq.
WTVM.com reported retired Montgomery Fire Lieutenant Patrick Childress, 63, died of natural causes on March 17 in Balad, Iraq.
Several fire departments lined Interstate 65 as Childress’ body passed by. The Prattville and Millbrook Fire Departments welcomed Childress home with ladder trucks and a large American flag.
Childress worked at the Montgomery Fire Department for more than 20 years. Prior to working in Montgomery, he was a volunteer firefighter in Calera and a firefighter in Prattville. He worked as a firefighter in Iraq for nine years.
Childress leaves behind his wife, three children and three grandchildren.
Montgomery Fire/Rescue learned this morning of the sudden loss of retired Firefighter Lieutenant Patrick R. Childress...
Posted by Safe Montgomery- Montgomery Department of Public Safety on Friday, March 18, 2016
Patrick Childress. Montgomery Fire Department (Retired)Passed away from natural causes while serving in Balad, Iraq...
Posted by Bagram Fire Department on Friday, March 18, 2016