Pineville Fire Department Prepares To Bury Their Own
CHARLOTTE, NC– Special preparations are underway to honor Pineville firefighter Richard Sheltra.
“Tomorrow we are going to take him out for a memorial service, what we call his last ride,” says Pineville Fire Spokesperson Bill Suthard.
Ladder Truck Number 4 has been cleaned and waxed several times, these new hoses were added, along with this special sticker and logo with his name and number.
It will carry Sheltra’sΒ body from the McEwenΒ funeral home traveling 3 miles to Forest Hill church via Park road.
Thousands expected to attend and pay their respects.
“The community has stepped up to become a part of the brotherhood, visiting us and then letting us know that they have our backs,” says Suthard.
Sheltra who died while battling a fire last SaturdayΒ touched many lives.
Just look at this memorial inside the Pineville volunteer fire department filled with community support.
Pineville Mayor JackΒ Edwards presented the fire chief with a North Carolina flag, letter and proclamation from Governor Pat McCroryΒ today.
“Throughout his career, firefighter Sheltra professionalism and true leadership in North Carolina is grateful for his sacrifice,”says Edwards.
Chief Mike GerinΒ will give the flag, letter and proclamation to Sheltra’sΒ family tomorrow.
His father shared this thought about the love and support shown to his son.
“WhenΒ the dad visited the station one day this week and saw the outpouring from the community…my job as a father is to raise a good boy to a man he said, this tells me that I did,” says Suthard.
