SAN ANTONIO (Houston Chronicle) – Thousands gathered Friday afternoon at Community Bible Church to pay homage to fallen firefighter Scott Deem, who was was remembered as a dedicated first responder, a Dallas Cowboys devotee, and most of all, a family man.
The Catholic Mass culminated with the ringing of the bell and the sounding of the final alarm, a time-honored firefighting tradition. The call was broadcast over the radio system for all of Deem’s brothers to hear.
“This is the final alarm for Scott Patrick Deem,” the dispatcher said. “He faithfully served the city of San Antonio for six years. … Although you are gone, you will never be forgotten. Rest in power, Scott.”
After the service ended, a vintage firetruck bearing his casket, which was draped with an American flag, departed the church, traveling to the cemetery where he will be buried.
The funeral began with a rendition of “Amazing Grace” as hundreds of first responders, forming a sea of navy blue, flooded into the church. Officials said the church, which holds 3,600 people, filled completely.
Robert Emmitt, pastor emeritus at Community Bible Church and San Antonio Fire Department chaplain, began the funeral with a prayer for Deem’s widow, Jennifer, two children, 13-year-old Dakota and 7-year-old Tyler, and their unborn daughter.
“You all have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Emmitt told them. “I thank you, on behalf of the church, on behalf of the whole city, for the price you have paid.”
Deem, 31, joined the San Antonio Fire Department six years ago. He was killed in a Northwest Side fire on May 18 while searching for potential victims. Two other firefighters, Brad Phipps and Robert Vasquez, were also injured in the blaze.
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The day’s commemorations began with an apparatus procession that departed from the Alamodome – comprised of 120 firetrucks and fire vehicles, 100 motorcycles and 500 firefighters from various jurisdictions, a reminder of the brotherhood that abides in the first responder community.
From the Alamodome, the procession made its way north to U.S. 281. A firetruck and the public witnessed the procession at every overpass on the way to the church.
At 11 a.m., a second motorcade including a vintage firetruck carrying Deem’s casket departed the Porter Loring Funeral Home.
Mourners came from near and far to honor Deem, including New York Fire Department firefighter Frank Busener, with Ladder 136, and five of his colleagues.
“This is not an easy event for us to attend,” Busener said. “We felt a need to come down and show our respect, honor someone else who does the same job.”
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