JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Michael Freeland, 36, collapsed Thursday while trying to rescue a U-Haul driver who was involved in a crash. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer later died in a hospital.
On Monday, members of the community and JFRD came together in Riverside -- walking a mile in his memory.
“Michael was special to us,” said Lakeshia Holsey, Freeland’s cousin. “He was a great young man. He served his community and loved his family and he was amazing.”
They were joined some 140 miles away by Zechariah Cartledge, a 13-year-old who lives near Orlando. He ran while holding a thin red line flag.
He was followed by a sea of flashing lights up a track in Winter Springs.
“We hope this run can help out his family and department through this difficult time they are dealing with,” he said.
Cartledge runs the nonprofit Running 4 Heroes, which honors fallen first responders.
“It speaks volumes to him and who he was and the fact that he gave his life to save a life,” said Hazel Yates-Campbell, Freeland’s aunt.
JFRD spokesperson Eric Prosswimmer said Freeland was working with firefighters at the scene “involving a prolonged extrication.” Fire Chief Keith Powers said firefighters had been working for almost 30 minutes to free the driver of the crashed truck.
A medical examiner hasn’t yet released the official cause of death.