KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On a snowy, cold Saturday morning, hundreds gathered inside the Abundant Life Baptist Church to remember 30-year-old Chuck McCormick.
McCormick was killed the previous Sunday as a result of trying to put out a house fire.
He worked for the West Pecular Fire Protection District for just three weeks before his death. Before that, he worked at the South Metro Fire Protection District.
McCormick originally is from Georgia and is survived by his wife and three children.
The late father's body was taken to a funeral home in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday where he was honored ahead of Saturday's service.
After the hour-and-a-half service, there was a procession to escort the fallen firefighter from the church to his final resting place.
Part of the route was on 58 Highway in the heart of McCormick's town of Raymore.
A few dozen people, including Sherman Wofford, lined the streets to pay their respects.
"I just wanted to show my support for the first responders that we have in our community," Wofford said.
Sarah Gaston, who lives along the route, also attended.
"We want to be able to support our local community our friends, our family, our rescue workers," Gaston said.
Some like Morman Oswalt are former firefighters who know the dangers the job entails.
"It always crosses your mind no matter what," said Oswalt, who attended the procession.
Samantha Allen, also a former firefighter, had similar thoughts.
"You definitely know the dangers you're going into," Allen said, "but you also know the rewards that come from the job.
Many in mourning, honored to show up on this wintry Saturday for the community's fallen hero, husband and father.
"I was actually shocked to see as many people out here," Allen said, "but it's very cool to see all the American flags out here just shows the sense of community that we have in the area."
