Statue of WI Firefighter Killed in 2018 Blast Unveiled

July 11, 2020
"He was probably one of the most proud firefighters we had in this organization,” said Sun Prairie's fire chief about Capt. Cory Barr, who died in a natural gas explosion in July 2018.

A statue honoring a Wisconsin firefighter who died in a 2018 explosion was unveiled Friday.

Around 100 people were on hand for an event Sun Prairie Fire Chief Chris Garrison called a celebration of life for Capt. Cory Barr, WISC-TV reports. Barr was killed in a natural gas explosion on July 10, 2018.

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“He was probably one of the most proud firefighters we had in this organization,” Garrison said. “He loved this place. It was like a second home to him.”

During the event, Barr's widow, Abby, talked about the struggles she and her family have faced since the incident.

“I feel like people want to hear that we’re fine, we’re happy, we’re moving on,” Barr said. “That’s not ever going to happen. What’s going to happen is that we’re going to move forward with Cory in our hearts forever.”

The statue unveiled at the event shows a kneeling and holding Barr's helmet. The road in front of Sun Prairie's fire station also will be renamed Barr Street, according to WISC.

“If I cry, it’s because I’m sad and I miss him,” Abby Barr said. “But also what you can’t see is that it warms my heart to hear other people remembering him.”