KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Flags at some locations in Missouri will fly at half staff to honor Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department members Capt. Robert "Bobby" Rocha and paramedic Scott Davidson.
Gov. Mike Parson issued the order Wednesday for flags at all fire stations, the Fire Fighters Memorial in Kingdom City, and government buildings in KC-area counties to fly at half staff on Saturday, Nov. 28 for Davidson and Monday, Nov. 30 for Rocha.
“The COVID-19 pandemic did not change Captain Rocha’s commitment to protecting others, as he and thousands of Missouri’s first responders continue to bravely and selflessly put their lives on the line to respond to emergency calls. We will never forget Captain Rocha’s faithful, noble service,” Parson said in a news release.
Rocha, 60, died Saturday after a weeks-long battle with COVID-19.
He was exposed to the virus earlier in November while he was on the job.
Friends remember him as a friendly person who would do anything for anybody.
“People looked up to him like he was Hercules,” one said.
Rocha's funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m. Monday at McGilley Funeral Home. A drive-thru visitation will precede that on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the same location.
Sunday, communications specialist and paramedic Scott Davidson died from the virus, which he also contracted in the line of duty.
His funeral services are set for Saturday morning in Wichita.
Davidson, 45, leaves behind a wife and three stepchildren.
"For more than 18 years, Communication Specialist/Paramedic Davidson served with the Metropolitan Ambulance Services Trust (MAST) and the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department. He served with a calming strength that gave others hope in the midst of difficult times,” Parson said.
Rocha and Davidson are among three KCFD members to die from the coronavirus.
In April, Billy Birmingham died of COVID-19. He had been an EMT for 22 years.
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