Overpasses along I-794 were lined with firefighters, community members and locals who paid their final respects to Officer Matthew Rittner. Along the Whitnall overpass, firefighters with Milwaukee County Fire Department arrived two hours before the procession started waiting for the moment that the hearse would pass underneath them.
As it did, firefighters stood at attention and saluted their fellow brother. Although Officer Rittner worked with Milwaukee Police, the firefighters said they are all one unit made of dedicated men and woman who are committed to serving their community.
"We are all thinking about them. We have all taken some time to reflect and to remember and to show our respect. We like to think of them as brothers and sisters in what we do and when something like this happens, we all feel it," said firefighter Taylor Collins.