Fallen Barnsdall Firefighter Honored At National Ceremony

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- Barnsdall Firefighter Rusty Topping was honored as part of the 28th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Sunday, October 4.

Topping, 28, died of a heart attack following live-fire training on May 31, 2008. He is one of 98 men and five women from 36 states who died in the line of service and will be honored in a Washington, D.C. ceremony.

More than 5,000 people including members of Congress, Administration officials, members of the fire service, family and friends of the fallen firefighters and other dignitaries attended the event. Families receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial.

Honor guard units and fire service personnel from across the U.S. participated in the national tribute.

Many fire departments across the country conducted simultaneous services, lower flags to half-staff, sound sirens at noon, and observe a moment of silent tribute.

For a complete list of this year's honored fallen firefighters, a video introduction to the Memorial weekend and more, go to weekend.firehero.org.