Joint viewings honor 2 Berks County fire chiefs killed in line of duty
RICHMOND TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Hundreds of family members, friends and first responders gathered Friday evening to honor two Berks County fire chiefs who were killed in the line of duty last Saturday.
Joint viewings were held at Fleetwood High School for Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeffory Buck, 60, and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Schick Jr., 56.
"They were always there for us, always helped us," paramedic Maribeth Ehling said.
Buck and Schick had been assisting with a search along Route 222 in Richmond Township when police say a 26-year-old driver under the influence crashed into their side-by-side utility vehicle. Both men were taken to a hospital, where they later died.
"They wake up in the middle of the night, and they go out during the middle of the day and they give their all," said Lt. Katie Vallies of Kutztown Fire and Rescue. "And unfortunately, they did give their all this time to keep the community safe."
RELATED: Families mourn 2 fire chiefs killed in Berks County crash
Vallies said the turnout at the viewing reflected the impact the two men had on the region.
"It's unfortunately a great loss, but now we have how many people here coming out supporting, and this is honestly what it's all about," she said.
Walnuttown Fire Lt. Ryan Tyson said the support has been "overwhelming but in a good way," noting that both chiefs had been dedicated to the fire service since they were teenagers.
"At the end of the day, we lost two fire chiefs, but we also lost two friends, two mentors, two dads, husbands," Tyson said. "We just want to do the best we can to keep their legacy alive."
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.
The 26-year-old driver involved in the crash faces several charges, including homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence.
