Reception honors life of Roanoke Fire Captain

By: | WSLS
Published: October 27, 2009

Roanoke Fire-EMS mourned the loss of Captain Chris Brown on Monday afternoon at his funeral. Following the service, Brown’s family and his fellow firefighters held a reception at Roanoke’s Fire Station One.

Captain Chris Brown’s ladder truck with black ribbon on the front sat outside. His fellow shift workers stood together for a group picture in front of the truck, minus their captain.

"He took a bunch of misfits here at the station, and he turned us into the best crew the city's got,” said J.J. Price.

A reception after the funeral flashed pictures on a screen of Brown’s family and of his crew.

In the fire service, a helmet is like a badge of courage, and tradition is everything.

Battalion Chief, Jeff Beckner, passed on Brown’s helmet to his brother, Mark, also a firefighter.

"That passing of the helmet to Mark, I think, will definitely mean something to Mark,” said Price.

It’s a time to tell stories about Brown who took pride in his equipment.

"You'd rush out there to take the mop out of his hand or the brush to wash the trucks out of his hand, and you'd have to fight him for it,” said Craig Champney.

Brown was a man these men and women bonded with, but he was captain who was serious about their duties as firefighters.

"Captain Brown had this look. He'd get irritated with us, he'd rub his face, and he'd look at us. You'd know you were in trouble. That was the 'you've crossed the line' look,” laughed Price.

They’re a family of firefighters who’ve always stuck together but especially the past few days.

"We've been together since Wednesday. We were at the hospital the whole time,” said Price.

They’re hoping their camaraderie shows through.

"We've always known what brother and sisterhood was, but after today, everybody knows what brother and sisterhood is in the fire service,” said Battalion Chief, Jeff Beckner.

Brown dedicated 15 years to Roanoke Fire-EMS. In lieu of flowers, Brown’s family requests donations be made to a college fund set up for Captain’s Brown’s daughters at SunTrust Bank at 72 Kingston Street in Daleville.