The Philadelphia firefighting community is mourning the loss of one of its longtime pillars, Battalion Chief John Garrow, who died in the line of duty from a medical emergency on February 19. The Philadelphia Fire Department has announced a two-day funeral service to honor the 32 years of commitment and service Garrow dedicated to the city. Garrow, who most recently served with Battalion 8 at Engine 59 in Nicetown, is remembered for his unshaken dedication to the safety and well-being of his community.
The solemn observances begin with a public viewing on Tuesday, March 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church located at 535 Rhawn St., Philadelphia, giving colleagues, friends, and community members the chance to pay their respects to the departed hero whose loss weighs heavily on the hearts of those he served with it, protected the lives of many over more than three decades of fearless service and, his memory will be honored in accordance with the traditions befitting a firefighter of his stature.
The following day, on Wednesday, March 13, a procession will mark the beginning of the final tributes to Battalion Chief Garrow. It will step off around 8:15 a.m. from Engine 56 at 832 Rhawn St., moving towards St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church where another viewing will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., prior to the funeral service. Friends and brethren in service will gather at 11:30 a.m. for what promises to be a moving service celebrating the life and dedication of Garrow. The full details of the proceedings were released in an advisory on the city's official website.
Interment will follow the service, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA; the final resting place will be a national cemetery, a sacred ground reserved for those who've devoted their lives to the service of others, his passage to eternity will be among fellow servicemen, and a stark reminder of the ultimate price paid for the safety and security of others in the line of duty
