Firefighters, loved ones and total strangers lined the streets in a solemn procession for Los Angeles firefighter Kelly Wong, reports NBC LA
The 29-year-old veteran firefighter died just short of his son’s first birthday. Wong fell Saturday from an aerial ladder during a training exercise in Downtown Los Angeles.
Mayor Eric Garcetti was among those on hand for the procession.
“He was strong, he was brave, he was smart, he was hard-working. He was a hero in every sense of the word,” Garcetti said to KABC. “A hero for our city, a hero for this department and a hero for his family.”
Firefighter Kelly Wong & the entire LAFD family will be watching over baby Colton, tweeted LA Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas.
Proud to stand with @MayorOfLA to honor fallen @LAFD Firefighter Kelly Wong & the entire LAFD family will be watching over baby Colton. pic.twitter.com/aIpOTzzapw
— Chief Terrazas (@LAFDChief) June 5, 2017
In a heart-wrenching moment, Wong’s widow Danielle knelt by her husband’s covered body in tears.
“Kelly’s dream since he was a little boy was to be a firefighter,” Terrazas said. “His mother, Ann, shared that story with me that Kelly liked to play with fire trucks growing up. He applied with several departments, but he wanted to work for the best. He wanted to work for the Los Angeles Fire Department. And he accomplished his goal.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart.  We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. You can show your support by liking our Facebook page at  www.facebook.com/asamnews, following us on Twitter, sharing our stories, interning or joining our staff.
