JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of people gathered to remember the life of a Jacksonville fallen firefighter as he was laid to rest Wednesday morning at The Church of Eleven 22.
Tanner Gillespie, 20, and another man were both killed nearly two weeks ago in Putnam County in an off-duty accident.
One of the ladders carrying the American flag was from Gillespie’s company. All of this to remember this young firefighter, whose life meant so much to so many.
“Take the fire department uniform off. As a parent, my heart breaks for Gene and Julie. Your biggest fear that you ever face as a parent is that knock on the door in the middle of the night that something has happened to one of your children,” Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department Fire Chief Keith Powers said.
Gillespie had been with the department since July and had become a firefighter just like his dad — a mission driven by a passion to help and serve others.
Chief Powers said though Gillespie had been with the department for four months, this work was something he was proud to do.
“He was putting his heart and soul into it, and was just making such a difference in this community,” Powers said.
The fire chief said no matter what, the Gillespie family will always have the support of the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department. That’s something they’re passionate about.
The department is also providing support for its firefighters as they process this loss.
“We have the stronger peer support team in the state of Florida. Our peer support team is amazing and they go out and minister and help out our men and women when they’re struggling during times like this.”
Honoring a young, dedicated firefighter whose legacy will never be forgotten, his life taken too soon.