LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Hundreds of friends, family, fellow firefighters and community gathered to remember Ballardsville Fire Department Sgt. Tom Petschke. 

The 10-year-veteran of the department died in the line of duty on Nov. 11, after suffering a medical emergency at a fire in Goshen. 

Mourners, including Ballardsville Fire Sgt. Stephen Sauerbeck, filled Southeast Christian Church in Crestwood on Thursday.

As part of the funeral services, Petschke's family was handed a flag on behalf of Governor Andy Beshear's office. It was the same flag that was flying the day Petschke died in the line of duty. 

Outside, Sauerbeck and others became emotional when a final radio transmission was played in honor of Petschke.

"We are a brotherhood of firefighters that can all pitch together and help each other out, but he's also a husband and a father and a brother," he said. 

Sauerbeck remembered his friend as someone who was always around to help anyone in need, and he was also happy to snap a few pictures along the way. 

"He was not one to walk past litter on the ground, he was not one to leave one of the trucks dirty after a run. He was very proud of how he would take care of his things and take care of his family. It was motivational for all of us to try and keep up with how good of a job Tom would do," he said. 

And Sauerbeck said Petschke leaves a lasting legacy. "Doing things better than they should be and leaving things better than you found them."

IMAGES | Funeral honors Ballardsville firefighter that died in the line of duty

Following Thursday's services, Sgt. Petschke was taken back to a funeral home in LaGrange. At least two Ballardsville Fire firefighters will remain with him at all times, until he's finally laid to rest in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, on Monday. 

"When Tom walked into the fire station Saturday morning, is the last time he'll ever be alone. He got on the truck with our crew, at the scene we rode with him to the ambulance, and we hold honor guard with him. And it's not just Ballardsville, all stations have been taking shifts so that 24/7 two firefighters have been with him," said Sauerbeck.

Gov. Beshear ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff through sunset Monday, Nov. 20 in Petschke's honor. 

Petschke is survived by Colleen Alverson Petschke, his wife of 29 years, his son Matthew, daughter Megan, mother Gail Petschke and two sisters. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial donations be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2416 KY-53, LaGrange, KY 40031 or Supporting Heroes, PO Box 991547, Louisville, KY 40269. 

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