The Knoxville Fire Department held its annual Memorial Service Honoring Fallen Firefighters Tuesday at the KFD's Headquarters Fire Station in downtown Knoxville.

The annual ceremony honored the 18 KFD firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty since 1875 and the 10 retired firefighters and one civilian employee who have passed away during the past year.

As part of the ceremony, attended by 150-180 active and retired firefighters and family and friends of those being honored, a bell tolled 28 times - once for each of the firefighters.

At the same time - as each firefighter's name was read by Fire Chief Robert L. Key and the bell tolled - a single red rose was placed into a gold-colored vase bearing the department's insignia.

Mayor Bill Haslam and Chief Key spoke at the ceremony before placing a wreath at the firefighter's statue in Firefighter Memorial Park in front of the station.

Haslam said that this was a special day when the city remembers firefighters who rush into dangerous or tragic situations to provide protection, aid and comfort.

He also told family members of those being honored that the relatives of KFD firefighters are part of an extended fire department family and that relationship never ends. The Knoxville Fire Department Honor Guard led the processional; Sr. Firefighter Rusty Singleton sang the national anthem and "The Lord's Prayer"; Bagpiper John Rose played "Amazing Grace" and Bugler Pat Armstrong played "Taps."

Fire Officer Claude Earl, a 50-year veteran of the KFD, Fire Chaplain Paul Trumpore and Firefighter Dennis Bambach also took part in the ceremony.

Retired firefighters who passed away since last year and who were honored Tuesday included:

Carl E. Cole
Clyde C. Parker
Richard L. Hickey
William J. Ray
James H. Jones
Benny D. Shockley
William H. Kidwell, Jr.
Carson Steele, Jr.
James Loveday
Dennis A. Wolfenbarger
Mrs. Pat Clevenger (civilian employee)