A 13-mile funeral procession was held Monday for a Clayton firefighter who recently died after a month-long battle with COVID-19. Jason Dean, a 42-year-old deputy fire chief with the Clayton Fire Department, died last week nearly a month after the department had 17 firefighters test positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, hundreds of fire trucks and emergency vehicles from around the state took part in what town officials called a "massive" event, according to CBS 17. The public was encouraged to line the streets of the procession route to pay their respects for the fallen first responder.
A ceremonial old fire siren was played three times on Friday as a tribute to Dean, a 20-year veteran with the department, WRAL reports.
"It can't be measured, the contribution that he's made to our town," said Mayor Pro Tem Jason Thompson. "And I think the only thing that could come close are the lives that are saved by the firefighters, the rescues that are made, the fires that are extinguished. He had a direct impact in training every one of these folks."
Dean leaves behind his wife and two daughters. The Clayton Firefighters Association is accepting donations for Dean's family and the other firefighters still battling COVID-19.
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