Members of the Sable Flames firefighter group in Madison are creating a new community service award to honor Richard Garner, who died in the line of duty April 1, 2018.
The award, given at the annual Second Alarm Scholarship Benefit Dance, will carry on the legacy of a man whose friends describe him as a gentle giant.
"He would do anything for you no matter how well he knew you or not," said Doug Johnson, who was hired to the Madison Fire Department alongside Garner. "He was a very selfless person who gave a lot of himself to people in the community."
Johnson, one of the coordinators of the Second Alarm dance, says the creation of a community service scholarship will be a way for Garner's spirit to live on.
"This was one of his favorite events to be a part of," Johnson said. "We want to celebrate what Rick meant to the community."