TOLEDO FIREFIGHTER TRAGEDY

Firefighters escort Pvt. Dickman to Sandusky

Firefighters salute the funeral procession of Toeldo firefighter James Dickman as the hearse travels down Woodville Road.

The Blade/Lori King
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Firetrucks make their way over the Anthony Wayne Bridge in Toledo during the funeral procession for Toledo firefighter James Dickman.

PORT CLINTON -- Along State Rt. 2, firefighters, police, and other emergency personnel lined the overpasses, flying flags and saluting from above as the procession for Toledo fire Pvt. James Dickman passed.

"It's a brotherhood and we have to support our brothers," said Steve Busby, a firefighter with the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department, as he stepped off the overpass at the State Rt. 53 exit. "It's pretty unreal to see that every overpass from here to Toledo had fire trucks on it."

In Sandusky, business owners and residents lined U.S. 250 to pay their respects.

PHOTO GALLERY: Funeral procession for Pvt. Dickman

The long funeral procession for Toledo firefighter James Dickman travels down Monroe Street toward his final resting place in Sandusky.

Private Dickman, 31, and Private Stephen Machcinski, 42, died Sunday after being stuck in a burning two-story apartment building at 528 Magnolia St. Private Dickman was hired onto the Toledo Fire Department in September after a decade with the Perkins Township department; Private Machcinski had more than 15 years of service.

Toledo Fire Lts. Ron Kay and Brian Henry, and Privates Mike Lester and John Martin were part of the procession that came the 65 miles to pay last respects to Private Dickman.

The men from Station 7 in Toledo said they were humbled by the outpouring of support both locally and from firefighters all over the country and Canada.

"We had breakfast this morning with two gentlemen from London, Ontario. We got to sit and share," Lieutenant Kay said. "(Firefighters) have traveled for hours to be here and when I go to thank them, they don't say a word.

"They don't have to - that's what the brotherhood's all about."

Mr. Dickman's calling hours were scheduled to last until 1 p.m., at which time his funeral service will begin at The Chapel on Galloway Road.

One woman held her hand over her heart as the cars passed.

There were similar reacitons today when the procession started today.

A man saluted the dozens of vehicles as they drove down West Sylvania Avenue early Toledo.

The procession route, which started at Walker Funeral Home and picked up dozens of people as it passed Franklin Park Mall, was longer than 65 miles.

Along the road, men and women waited and watched silently.

Sister Geraldine Nowak of the Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania, was among them.

She was there to show "sympathy, respect, and gratitude," she said.

Also waiting for the processional was Pattie Hall, of Adrian.

Ms. Hall, who works in Toledo, said she wanted to show her gratitude and respect for the fallen firefighters.

Ms. Hall said she used to work at Lucas County 911 and "feels a little kinship with them."