Fallen Firefighter caravan

[rtvickers]

I was heading south yesterday on 75 through NKY and noticed a lot of police out and about. As we got closer to Florence I noticed they starting blocking exits and there was Police and Fire trucks on overpasses. I knew something was up and couldn't think of anyone that had passed away. Then around Richwood in KY it hit me that there was a fireman from McCreary County KY that had passed away. And they took him to UC hospital. I remember hearing about him on the news. I knew they were right behind us but we couldn't see them. So we pulled over. They were about a minute behind us. It was quite impressive. We caught up to them and did some blocking so people wouldn't pass them. There were a number of vehicles that were doing the same. But there's always people that don't care about respect. We followed them down 75 until they got off at the Richmond exit in KY. Almost every overpass had some sort of police or fire vehicles. Some were very nice with the everyone saluting him as he went by. It was awesome to see them paying their respects to Pooh. We took some video and pics. Here's a few pics.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/6F7F00F3-B828-4CF6-92FA-D2C6AB98E936-62333-00002B1A523731C6_zps0f0be210.jpg (http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/rtvickers/media/6F7F00F3-B828-4CF6-92FA-D2C6AB98E936-62333-00002B1A523731C6_zps0f0be210.jpg.html)
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/34C242BB-0A5F-4BB9-B4CE-3DCC0469654D-62333-00002B1A31066DC4_zps5a5dca79.jpg (http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/rtvickers/media/34C242BB-0A5F-4BB9-B4CE-3DCC0469654D-62333-00002B1A31066DC4_zps5a5dca79.jpg.html)
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/06D4FCDE-B7E2-4DDE-8A3C-251249DD776E-62333-00002B19E64F6A85_zpsedf3ace1.jpg (http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/rtvickers/media/06D4FCDE-B7E2-4DDE-8A3C-251249DD776E-62333-00002B19E64F6A85_zpsedf3ace1.jpg.html)
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/28ADE9D5-ECA0-49D2-A38C-6241CE51F870-62333-00002B198FF4A489_zps316dbe60.jpg (http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/rtvickers/media/28ADE9D5-ECA0-49D2-A38C-6241CE51F870-62333-00002B198FF4A489_zps316dbe60.jpg.html)

[Katmandu]

Pretty amazing amount of support amongst fellow Firefighters and Police Officers.

[rtvickers]

It started out in Cincy with about 5 vehicles. The last pic is when we were getting close to Richmond KY and they were getting off the highway. You can see how the caravan grew. They stopped in Richmond and I think they got back on and ended up getting off the Mt Vernon exit. I agree it was pretty amazing.

[fastone]

This was Lt. Hill's trip home. I am a firefighter/medic for Burlington, and I have actually became close friends with the family during their stay here. Lt. Hill should have not lived more than one day, but instead he lived for 59 days in the burn unit at UC. This was us taking him home yesterday. Actually when we left Cincinnati we had about 10 cars and about 5 fire engines/ladder trucks. We lost the fire engines/ladders in Kenton County. We got off at Renfro Valley and headed across to Somerset and south on 27 to Whitley City. Around the area of 461/80 outside of Somerset, we actually had a PHI helicopter lead us for about 3 miles, with him about 200foot off deck. As we got into Whitley City there was over a 7 mile lines of fire dept vehicles. All the businesses stopped and everyone lined the streets. The real kicker was where Pooh's wife taught school, all the kids outside with their hands on their chest as we passed. For those who stopped and said thanks or held up traffic for us, I say thank you. I was honored to know the Hill and Stephens families and honored I got to lead him home for his last time. I also got to stand on guard at the ambulance with two other firemen, we were the last ones to do it for Lt. Hill before he left Cincinnati. I am also returning Friday to visit the fire guys and for Lt. Hill's layout/funeral on Saturday. If you want more info look at our local news channels and the lexington news channels.

[rtvickers]

That's awesome. I wish we could've made the whole trip. It was amazing to see how everyone came together to pay their respects for Pooh. I sent you all the pics and videos I have. I didn't want to disrespect anyone by posting the videos on youtube. But if any of his family wants me to I can.

[rtvickers]

Pretty amazing amount of support amongst fellow Firefighters and Police Officers.

Yeah I agree. I think there also was some Road department employees involved also.

[fastone]

The most amazing day was Saturday when we paid our last respects to first and foremost a loving husband and father to two wonderful children along with a brother, son, uncle and nephew to his family. Whitley City is one town that is stuck in time and is amazing place. They treated all the out of town people just like family. And to top it off, Pooh in heaven let us know he will be watching over everyone. As the services ended and we got ready to load him on the engine for his last ride, it started pouring down rain. As his casket passed through the door to the outside, rain stops and sun comes out in a matter of seconds. Then after everything was done and Whitley City was backing their trucks in the bay, a rainbow appears out the front of the firehouse across the street! Im glad I got to meet him family and fire department but I wish it was a different outcome. Pooh brought people together in his last 59 days here, and some of those people will now be life long friends! Rest in peace brother, we got it from here.