Ceremony honors fallen fire chief
Published 11:16 pm Monday, July 27, 2009
Family, friends and firefighters gathered Sunday for a dedication ceremony to honor former East Pierce Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Packer on the anniversary of his death.
More than 200 people arrived at the East Pierce headquarters on Sumner-Buckley Highway in Bonney Lake to share memories of the fallen chief and recall his commitment to the firefighters he led and the communities he served.
East Pierce Chief Jerry E. Thorson noted that he first met Packer in 1981 when he was a recruit firefighter for Burien Fire.
“He wasn’t always conventional and liked to challenge the system – not helpful for a recruit, but later as a chief it was one of his strengths,” Thorson said.
As part of the ceremony, a memorial pond and plaque in front of the station were dedicated. Thorson thanked Pete Spain of the city of Bonney Lake for his hard work in constructing the pond and enlisting others to donate time and materials for the effort.
According to Bonney Lake Councilwoman Laurie Carter, donations totaled more than $16,000.
“Fire Chief Dan Packer Walk of Honor” is located near the pond.
“It is our hope that the names that will appear on the bricks next to his will not only pay tribute to those who have given so generously of their time and energy, but also serve as a reminder to the rest of us of what we can achieve when we dedicate ourselves in service to others,” said Sean Slattery, vice president of the local International Association of Firefighters.
The association, represented by East Pierce Lt. Rich Simmons, presented Packer’s wife and children with a special commemorative coin.
As the flag was lowered to half staff, the Combined Fire Department Honor Guard assisted Packer’s wife, Marylee, in placing a wreath. Local fire service bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” and “Danny Boy.”
Thorson encouraged the firefighters of East Pierce to recall the standard of compassion and service to others that Packer set and, above all, to never forget their chief.
“The fire service in America has a long history of service and sacrifice,” he said. “Chief Dan Packer joins those that have a special place in our history, and in our hearts, one of the brave that gave their all for their community and nation.”
Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson and Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow declared July 26 as an official day of remembrance.
Packer died July 26, 2008, while fighting a California wildfire. He had been deployed to the Panther Fire south of Happy Camp in Siskiyou County in northern California to assume a supervisory position in the firefighting effort.
Packer was a member of a Washington state-based incident management team and was deployed to major incidents, most frequently large wildland fires.
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