Woodcrest Fire Department Mourns Loss Of Captain Mark Bruning

A police officer and volunteer firefighter died at his home on Thursday night.. 

Woodcrest Fire Chief said Captain Mark Bruning was a man who dedicated his life to serving others. The law enforcement community is mourning another loss of a brother. 

The flag at the Woodcrest Fire Department has been at half-staff in honor of Edmond Police Sgt. CJ Nelson and it will stay that way to honor Captain Bruning. 

“With the loss of officer Nelson with the Edmond police department and to catch a breath of air. To have this hit us was completely a tragedy,” Chief Young said. 

The Guthrie Police Department said Mark Bruning passed away at his home Thursday evening. 

“It's hard. It's hard for all of us. It's hard to choke back the emotion, the tears,” Chief Young said. 

He was a Lieutenant with the Guthrie Police Department, instructor with Heartland Medical Direction and captain with the Woodcrest Volunteer Fire Department. 

His absence in the firehouse is one Fire Chief Luke Young said can't be filled. 

“Being that guide, that mentor, that leader, which actually progressed him into who he became, and we all will honor that,” Chief Young said. 

Captain Bruning may be gone, but his impact lives on.  

“We took a unanimous vote last night; it was proposed to make our conference and meeting room the Mark Bruning memorial meeting room.” 

Chief Young said now every recruit will know Bruning's name and his sacrifices for the community. 

“It's truly a calling where you have to have a servant's heart. Mark showed that in every aspect of what he did,”