Flags at the Mississippi Fallen Firefighters Memorial were lowered to half-mast on Monday in honor of a volunteer who collapsed and died last week after responding to a call.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday for Robert W. Edwards, 45, a volunteer in Tunica.
On June 23, Edwards responded to his station and drove the second engine to a structure fire, said Tunica Chief Ellis Koonce.
"It (a house) was already on the ground. So, I returned Robert's truck," he said.
That night, Edwards suffered a fatal heart attack at his home, the chief said, adding that he believes the death is the first for the department since the 1930s.
A devoted volunteer for the past 23 years, Edwards will leave a void in the small department. Koonce added that he made a mark that will long be remembered.
"He loved four things: the fire department, his job at public works, playing golf and going out to dinner with his wife and friends."
Firefighters from neighboring companies will be standing by while the 23 Tunica volunteers attend their colleague's funeral. In fact, Koonce said the department was overwhelmed with offers. "We're tight down here."
Edwards' casket will be carried on his company's fire engine from Tunica United Methodist Church to the cemetery.
When word was received that his death had been ruled an LODD, firefighters attending classes at the Mississippi State Fire Academy gathered at the memorial for a brief ceremony. "We lowered the Mississippi state flag and the Mississippi Fallen Firefighter flag," said Reggie Bell, academy deputy director.
Bell said as soon as an LODD is official, the service is conducted and flags lowered. Firefighters at the academy attend the ceremony. "We then go over briefly what happened, and that may lead to further discussions in class."
Edwards' casket will be draped with a large flag bearing the logo of the Mississippi Firefighters Association. After the service, an honor guard will fold it and present it to his family, Bell said. "It's a nice gesture..."
They also will be receiving a wooden display case for the flag and an engraved foot stone symbolizing their hero’s sacrifice. Edwards' name also will be placed on a brick at the memorial, and it will be added to the granite plaque in October.
This brings to 47 the number of firefighter deaths so far this year, the USFA records show.
