A memorial service was held Wednesday evening for a Long Beach firefighter who died earlier this month, apparently of natural causes.
Chris Parker died unexpectedly at his home Feb. 8, according to Long Beach Fire Department spokesman Jake Heflin. Parker was 48.
Parker was a 20-year veteran of the Long Beach Fire Department and served as a firefighter assigned to various stations throughout the city, as well as a fire investigator with the Arson Unit, Heflin said.
During his time as a firefighter, Parker served as "senior firefighter" at Fire Station One and mentored several firefighters throughout his time there, he said. He was known for his colorful stories, his larger-than-life personality and received numerous commendations during his career.
"Firefighter Chris Parker was a hero in the truest sense of the word," Fire Chief Xavier Esposito said.