LA GRANGE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A firefighter's sacrifice is being honored as his life is remembered.
On Wednesday evening, family, friends, and dozens of first responders from the region attended the visitation for Tom Petschke, a 10-year veteran of the Ballardsville Fire Department.
Petschke died after a medical emergency during a fire Saturday night.
WDRB News spoke to two of his firefighting brothers, close friend Dale Hamilton, and Austin Foust, who responded with Petschke on Saturday.
"Very heartwarming to see the response from the fire departments, agencies, throughout the area," Hamilton.
Hamilton had spent hours with Petschke barely a week ago during a classroom training session.
"And we sat together and worked on the material to pass those tests and get that done before we left for the evening to go back home," Hamilton said.
To Hamilton and Foust, Petschke was more than a brother on the fire department. They said he was a loving husband and father who loved anything on wheels, from planes to pickups.
One fire truck at the visitation was draped in black, in mourning, while a future truck will honor him in a different way.
"I believe that the chief said that fire engine would be dedicated to him," Hamilton said.
Until the new engine arrives, they'll honor their brother by continuing to answer the call.
"We're gonna live off his legacy and his passion and the best thing we can do is do our job and that's what Tom would've wanted us to do," Foust said.
Funeral services in Kentucky will be held on Thursday at the Crestwood campus of Southeast Christian Church. It starts at 11 a.m. and is open to the public.
On Sunday, Foust and a few others from the department will head to Buffalo, New York, the city where Petschke was born. They'll accompany his body to his final resting place.
As they have since he was admitted to the hospital, at least one member of the department will be alongside Petschke until he is buried to make sure he's not alone.
Related stories:
- 'Tom will never be left alone' | Hundreds pack visitation for fallen Ballardsville firefighter
- Family, colleagues remember fallen Ballardsville firefighter as friend, role model
- Procession held for Ballardsville firefighter who died in the line of duty
- 53-year-old Ballardsville firefighter dies after responding to fire on Saturday evening
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