Firefighters gather to honor fallen fire chief
Hundreds of firefighters in more than 150 emergency vehicles gathered Thursday to honor Chief Daniel Packer, who was killed July 26 while battling a Northern California wildfire.
"You're just not going to be able to fill those shoes," said Randy Shelton, chief of Orting Valley Fire and Rescue. "Dan was very unique. He was wonderful."
Packer, 49, was chief of East Pierce Fire & Rescue and was supervising firefighting efforts on the Panther Fire in Siskiyou County when he was overrun by flames while scouting a ridge.
The memorial motorcade of fire vehicles left the Puyallup Fairgrounds at 11:30 a.m. and headed east on State Route 512, up Highway 167 and into Federal Way for the memorial service at the Christian Faith Center.
The parade of mourning firefighters, family, friends lasted two miles. His body was carried into the center by an honor guard in a ceremony befitting of his stature as a fire chief.
Then, thousands of firefighters, family and friends heard from the governor on down. But it was his 23-year-old daughter who spoke proudly of her dad's love. Packer's own dad died when he was 23.
"Dad loved his job, loved his men, loved firefighting," said Katrina Packer. "If he had to leave world the way he did, he would not have had it any other way."
Packer was described as a gentle giant, a leader who literally created that fire district headquarter in Bonney Lake, his home town.
His deputy chief says the legacy he leaves is enormous.
"Let me wish you God speed, good friend, God speed," said East Pierce Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief John McDonald.
Dan Packer was a father, grandfather, fire chief and recognized nationally for his firefighter skills. His loss is deep and impactful. His coworkers where his friends.
"He's my buddy and his twinkle in his eye and his bushy mustache and sense of humor will be around forever," Wayne Senter, president of Washington Fire Chief, said. "I'm going to miss him."
Packer's death came just a day after 18-year-old firefighter Andrew Palmer, of Port Townsend, was killed by a falling tree while working on a wildland fire crew in California.
Palmer was laid to rest Monday, and firefighters from around the region gathered again Thursday morning for a procession to Packer's service.
Packer was an experienced firefighter who had received national recognition for his firefighting skills. He led teams of firefighters into huge fires for years, and was preparing to take command of a large team at the Panther Fire before he was killed.
Packer is survived by his wife, four daughters and two grandchildren.
The U.S. Forest Service is still investigating the circumstances surrounding Packer's death. That investigation will take several weeks to complete