KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The first Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department member to die in the line of duty in connection with COVID-19 was honored on Tuesday.
The fountain at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, was turned on to commemorate Billy Birmingham's life.
"I love my dad. I miss my dad,” said Billy Birmingham’s only son Billy Birmingham Jr.
Birmingham, an EMT, served his city for decades and when the coronavirus pandemic broke out, he had a chance to change his assignment, but the 69-year-old chose to stay.
"He had the opportunity to perhaps try to ride this wave out, but instead, like he wants to do, he stepped up and continued to serve his community,” Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said in an address as he pledged to remember Birmingham for years to come.
The Parks and Recreation Department of Kansas City turned on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Fountain early, to honor his life and legacy.
"To make sure that he knows that he stands with so many heroes before who have given it all for our community,” Lucas said.
Birmingham Jr said that when it comes to his father, what has been "expressed the most is selflessness."
Fire Chief Donna Maize expressed "heartfelt condolences" to Birmingham's family on behalf of the fire department.
Many of Birmingham’s family members were present for the turning on of the fountain.
Local leaders said they will have to celebrate Birmingham's life on a different day, but that they will.
"Our one regret is that we are not going to be able to properly send off Billy,” Local No. 42 Union President Tim Dupin said. “We will do our best, but the fire department is full of tradition, and we are going to try and meet as many of those traditions out of respect to Billy and the family, but it's going to be difficult in these times."
Birmingham's eldest daughter Octavia Standley urged people to "practice social distancing."
"When they are saying wash your hands, they are not saying this just because, OK?" she said. "Our dad [died] literally, in the the line of duty...”
