Thousands of Firefighters Say Goodbye to Wheatley
Wheatley died Monday in the line of duty
Chicago firefighters turned out Friday morning to say goodbye to one of their own."/>
An estimated 2,000 Chicago firefighters turned out Friday morning to say goodbye to one of their own.
An estimated 2,000 Chicago firefighters turned out Friday morning to say goodbye to one of their own.
Well-wishers from across the country also showed up for the funeral of firefighter Christopher Wheatley.
"It's tremendous to see this support," said Wheatley's battallion chief, Steve Little.
The funeral began at 9 a.m. with a prayer service at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn. Then mourners began walking 2.7 miles to St. John Fisher Church, at 10234 S. Washtenaw, in Chicago.
"Chris was so loved," said Michelle Martinez, who worked with him for two years as an EMS. "We'ere here to love and support his family now. I feel for them."
More than 1,000 firefighters from Chicago and across the country filled the streets of Oak Lawn outside the funeral home Thursday to pay their respects at Wheatley's wake.
It wasn't just local firefighters who turned out. Some from as far away as Kentucky and New York.
"I need to be here," said New York firefighter Steve Jezycki. "It's payback."
Bill Renniger from a fire department near Lexington says he came to pay his respects to Wheately.
"When one hurts, we all hurt," said Renniger, who knows a number of Chicago firefighters from when the travel to the Kentucky Derby.
Posted Friday, Aug 13, 2010 - 3:44 AM CST
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