Ga. Firefighter: 'Our worst enemy claimed one of our own'
Source The Macon Telegraph
Friends and colleagues remembered fallen firefighter Lt. Randy Parker as a loving family man and a true hero during his funeral service Monday.
Hundreds gathered at the Macon City Auditorium to pay their final respects to Parker, who died in the line of duty while fighting a house fire Feb. 11 in south Macon.
"Our worst enemy claimed one of our own," a colleague said in an emotional speech. "A true hero was taken from us."
Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert said Parker's death reminds everyone of the dangers firefighters face and the debt of gratitude owed to public servants.
Suffolk, Virginia, fire Chief Cedric Scott told of Parker's joking nature.
Parker loved to tease Scott, who began his firefighting career in Macon, about his sports picks.
"When I chose Seattle in the Super Bowl, (Parker) said, 'Wrong again,' " Scott recalled.
But as a leader Parker was principled, inspired shared vision, dedicated to training, trustworthy and caring, Scott said.
A representative for U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop said a Congressional Record will be presented in Parker's honor.
Parker will be buried at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, located at 7070 Houston Road.
Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Telegraph writer Liz Fabian contributed to this report. For more on this story, come back throughout the day to macon.com and read Tuesday's Telegraph.
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