Fallen Chicago firefighter Andrew Price, who died while battling a blaze in Lincoln Park last week, was laid to rest on Monday.
Navy Pier's Aon Grand Ballroom was packed full of mourners who shared their sorrows and support for the family, friends and fellow firefighters. A husband, brother, son and uncle, Price was known for his infectious personality, always exuding positivity.
"He gave a piece of himself to everyone he encountered and honestly can say I’ve never met anyone like him," brother Jordan Price said.
Andrew Price was a 14-year veteran of the department and the widely respected driver of Truck 44.
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"In honor of Andrew Price…let’s be thankful…," stated Commissioner Nance Holt of the Chicago Fire Department. "We never know the impact they leave on our lives."
Friday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that flags would be flown at half-staff through sundown on Nov. 20 to honor Price.
Local
Price killed during fire at building that houses Lincoln Station in Lincoln Park
Andrew "Drew" Price, 39, who had been with CFD since March of 2009, was killed while fighting flames at a Lincoln Park building Nov. 13.
According to authorities, the situation unfolded just after 5:30 a.m. when CFD responded to the scene of a building in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue, where they said a woman had called about a kitchen fire.
When firefighters arrived, they noticed "barely any smoke," but they sent some responders to the roof to "assist in vertical ventilation," 12th Battalion Chief Michael McCormick said during a press conference last week.
More smoke began pouring out of the building, McCormick said, and with the help of additional engines, the group managed to evacuate the building and put out the flames.
"There was still hot pockets that we were searching around when the tragedy happened," said 12th Battalion Chief Michael McCormick.
That's when McCormick said a mayday call was made.
"We had information that firefighter Price had descended down a light shaft," McCormick said, adding that Price had been cutting ventilation holes in the roof of the building. "When we first got eyes upon him firefighter Price was responsive."
McCormick said firefighters had trouble reaching Price following the accident. Once crews were able to reach him by breaking through a wall, Price was given CPR at the scene and ultimately transported to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in "very critical" condition.
He later passed away from his injuries.
Price's death marks the fourth line of duty death the Chicago Fire Department has seen this year. In August, Lt. Kevin Ward, 59, died after battling a blaze in Norwood Park. In April, two firefighters -- Jermaine Pelt, 49, and Jan Tchoryk, 55, were killed battling two different blazes in the city.
"We all love what we do and we all know that when we go to work it may be our last," CFD Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said during the press conference. "We all realize that."
"Do we understand this? Of course we don't understand this at all," she added.
Price described as a 'light of sunshine"
Price was described by those who knew him as a "light of sunshine."
“He was a lovely man,” McCormick said during Monday's press conference. “He was as sweet as can be. He took extremely good care of himself and his family. He was extremely healthy. “He was a light of sunshine.”
Benn Hamm, the owner of Lincoln Station Bar and Grill where the fire took place, said that his thoughts are with Price’s family.
“It’s absolutely devastating,” he said. “My brother’s a fireman. It’s not taken lightly. It’s honestly what matters to me the most right now.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson also expressed condolences for the Price family.
“Our collective hearts are heavy this morning as we mourn the passing of firefighter Andrew Price, who has fallen in the line of duty battling a fire in Lincoln Park. Andrew gave his life in service to the City of Chicago, taking his position at the front lines of a threat to our safety and community. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect those in harm’s way – a debt we can never repay," Johnson said in a statement. "My prayers are with the Price family, his CFD colleagues and those he served with on Truck 44. The City is here to support all those who loved him during this difficult time.”
