LODD: Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa
Thousands of uniformed firefighters, their families and a grateful community gathered in Long Beach to celebrate the life of Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa.
Rosa died in the line of duty June 25thwhen he was shot to death while responding to a structure fire.
“He was always loyal and committed,” said Carlsbad firefighter Chris Hensley, Rosa’s brother-in-law. “He was a champion of a husband and father … a champion of a man.”
READ: Emotional Memorial Held for Long Beach Fire Captain
Hundreds of uniformed firefighters lined the procession route as Engine 10 – Brother Rosa’s engine – escorted his body to the Tuesday morning service at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Inside, the Pipes and Drums of California Professional Firefighters joined pipers, drummers and honor guards from all over in paying tribute.
Inside the service, friends, relatives and brother firefighters remembered Rosa as a man who “lived a life that mattered.”
“Captain Rosa answered the call to service as he had a thousand times before,” said Long Beach Fire Chief Michael Duree. “In his valor, there is hope.”
Today is a celebration of #CaptRosa’s life as we gather together to remember him. The good father, husband and friend he was. #LBFD #LBLODD pic.twitter.com/6XaGy0f8r4
— Long Beach Fire (CA) (@lbfd) July 3, 2018
Long Beach Firefighters Local 372 President Rex Pritchard presented Rosa’s family – widow Lynley and sons Alec and Sammy – with the IAFF Medal of Honor and a specially inscribed bible, from the local. Pritchard worked at the close-knit Long Beach Station 10 alongside Rosa.
“To my brothers and sisters at Station 10, losing Dave leaves a hole in our hearts that can can never truly heal,” Pritchard said. “We will carry him in our hearts as we carry on doing the job Dave loved to the very end.”
WATCH: The Last Alarm for Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa
DONTAE TO FUND TO SUPPORT CAPT. ROSA: www.firecaptainrosa.org.