Fallen Firefighter's Body Escorted Back To Worcester
WORCESTER (CBS) -- Members of the Worcester Police and Fire Departments escorted the body of firefighter Christopher Roy from UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester to Boston Monday morning. Roy's body was returned to Worcester Monday afternoon.
The procession got underway around 10 a.m. Along the route and at many of the highway overpasses, firefighters and members of law enforcement lined up to pay their respects.
Roy, 36, was killed while fighting a fire on Lowell Street in Worcester on Sunday. He had been a part of the Worcester Fire Department for two and a half years.
Boston Police and Fire lined Albany Street as the procession concluded at the Medical Examiner's office in Boston.
"It was the first thing on our mind is make sure what we can do for him and his family. It gives us a great feeling that we could do this for the family and the people of Worcester," said Richard Paris, Boston Firefighters Local 718 president.
"Firefighters, they want to do something. They want to let Worcester know that there's a support network there and ultimately, it's to let the families know that firefighter Roy's life meant something to them," retired Boston Fire Department spokesperson Steve MacDonald told WBZ-TV.
"The firefighter community, it's an old cliche, but the word brotherhood is used quite a bit because everyone is just so close because they understand the realities of the job," MacDonald added.
On Monday afternoon, Roy's body was escorted back to Worcester where he passed by his fire station.
Roy leaves behind a nine-year-old daughter, his parents, and a brother. A memorial fund has been established for Roy's daughter.
Calling hours be held at St. John's Catholic Church in Worcester on Friday, December 14 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the same church.
A makeshift memorial of flowers and candles was set up outside the Webster Square Fire Station. Members of the department also put up black bunting.
