A hero is laid to rest, power is s-l-o-w to be restored, schools re-open Fellow first responders gather to honor Davis
Family and friends came together at Emmanuel Baptist Church Friday, October 4, to pay their final respects to Assistant Fire Chief Leon Davis, who fell in the line of duty Thursday, September 28 as Hurricane Helene tore through Pierce County. An assemblage of fellow firefighters and other first responders also showed up in force to express their deep respect for a man who gave his all for the community in which he had lived.
Of course, the Blackshear and Pierce County Fire Departments arrived to honor the departed Davis. What was significant was just how many other communities were represented by both city and county fire departments. A parade of names were visible, stitched upon the uniformed shoulders of those mourning in the pews and emblazoned upon the fire engines in the parking lot outside: Charlton, Brantley Camden, Screven, Waynesville, Charlton, Hoboken, Calvary, Ware, Clay County, FL and more.
Clockwise from top left: Rebecca Howard and Kara Heath help restock the kitchen at Blackshear Elementary, Rep. ‘Buddy’ Carter surveys storm damage, City Attorney Adam Ferrell and Elyn Potts help distribute food and an arch formed by crossed fire truck ladders honors Leon Davis.
The Rev. Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel, preached the funeral and Blackshear Fire Chief Bucky Goble gave a eulogy.
Music included “I Thought He Walked on Water” by Randy Travis, “One More Day” by Diamond Rio and “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe. A bagpiper played Antonin Dvorak’s lament “Going Home”.
Inescapably prominent were the twin ladders of the St. Marys and Kingsland Fire Departments crossed before Emmanuel’s steeple to form the arch beneath which the honored dead would pass. Twin uniformed ranks of fellow first responders saluted Davis as his fire-engine red casket was loaded into the hearse.
As the pallbearers carried the casket beneath the arch formed by the crossed ladders a gentle rain began to fall almost like tears. The wail of sirens from the fire engines, police vehicles and ambulances escorting Davis to Blackshear City Cemetery had a mournful quality, the howling of wolves grieving a lost member of their pack, but as family, friends and firefighters began to gather at graveside the rain abated and the sunlight broke through.
Crackling from a speaker, the last call from dispatch was issued for 1202, Davis’s call sign. Then, a silver bell was struck, ringing out the code of 5-5-5, the code for a firefighter returning home. Many who are unafraid to risk life and limb for others were equally unafraid to let tears fall for their fallen brother.
The helmet of Leon Davis was formally presented to his wife of 47 years, Shirley. A long line of hugs and condolences followed. The watch of Assistant Fire Chief Leon Davis had ended and he was called to his eternal, heavenly home.
