They did their jobs voluntarily. And today, hundreds voluntarily came out to pay respects to two Rocky Mount firefighters.
Posey Dillon and Danny Altice died Monday on their way to a house fire when their engine flipped.
Dillion's funeral was held at Franklin Heights Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. When family and friends walked into the church, they were surrounded by hundreds of people.
Dillion served the Rocky Mount Fire Department for 33 years.
About three hours later, Danny Altice's funeral was held at Rocky Mount Methodist Church. Altice gave more than half this life to the volunteer fire department.
Firefighters and emergency workers from across the state attended both men's funerals. People also lined the street, many not even knowing the firefighters, just knowing they willingly served their community and made the ultimate sacrifice.
During the funerals, firefighters from Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Henry County, just to name a few, manned the Rocky Mount and Franklin County fire stations.
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The funeral for Chief Posey Dillon was held Friday morning at Franklin Heights Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. When family members walked into the church, they were surrounded by hundreds of people.
The turnout shows just how much Dillon was loved by his community. He served the Rocky Mount Fire Department for 33 years before he was killed on his way to a fire call on Monday. Hundreds of people attended the hour-long service.
The balcony was filled with firefighters and emergency workers from across the state. The procession from the church to the cemetery was filled with fire trucks, ambulances, and hundreds of cars. People also lined the streets to watch the procession on Highway 40.
Some saluted, others waved American flags, and a few had their hands on their hearts as the casket drove by on a fire truck.
The funeral for Danny Altice will be later Friday. It takes place at 3 p.m. at Rocky Mount Methodist Church.
During the funerals, firefighters from Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Henry County are manning the Rocky Mount Fire Department.
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Funerals for the two Rocky Mount firefighters killed in a traffic crash Monday will be held today.
Posey Dillon's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. at Franklin Heights Baptist Church. The church is located on Hilltop Road in Rocky Mount.
Danny Altice's funeral will be at 3 p.m. at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church.
The family asks that donations be made to the Posey W. Dillon and Danny Altice Memorial Fund, in care of the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department.
