Courtesy WTWO Channel 2, Wabash Valley
It was a somber day in the Wabash Valley as residents and firefighters said good-bye to a fallen hero. The funeral service for Captain Ralph Stott was held at the Hulman Center, and hundreds were in attendance to pay their respects. During the emotional service, Stott`s daughter spoke about her favorite memories, and thanked all of her Dad`s fellow firefighters for their love and support.
After the funeral, firefighters participated in what`s called the Memorial Walk. Firefighters line up behind the fire engine that carried the casket and walked from the Hulman Center to 13th and Wabash. The walk is steep in tradition, and is very similar to the walks seen for the firefighters killed on September 11th. The public was invited to line the streets of the walk to pay their respects to a man who worked to protect the citizens of Terre Haute.
The procession ended at Roselawn Cemetery, where Captain Stott`s body reached it`s final resting place. Two ladder trucks, draped in black cloth welcomed the procession. The service was brief, beginning with the ceremonial honor guard gun salute, followed by the playing of taps, bagpipe music, and concluding with Fire Captain and Department Chaplain Rick Swan delivering the eulogy.
Stott is survived by his wife Terri, his daughter Kimberly, his father Ralph Stott Senior, four sisters and eight grandchildren.
Ironically Stott, killed in the line of duty on Monday, would have celebrated his 24th year with the Terre Haute Fire Department Thursday.
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