Four firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty within the past year were honored during the annual Florida Fallen Firefighter memorial service held at the Florida State Fire College on Friday morning.
The chilly weather did not prevent family members, friends, fire officials and politicians from paying their respects to Jeffery Atkinson, Steven R. Terry, Michael G. Camelo Jr. and Daryel Richards, whose names are now among those of the more than 180 firefighters who lost their lives protecting Floridians.
“They have given the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mike Tucker, bureau chief at the fire college, which is located north of Ocala.
Tucker called attendees to order at 9:45 a.m., following breakfast. He told those gathered that since the death of a Florida firefighter in 1885, those who have died “will never be forgotten.”