Sirens will be quiet Friday afternoon in Wentzville as the city turns out for a public procession honoring Fire Captain Tommy Shine. Motorists on nearby I‑70 have been warned to expect the motorcade between 4 and 5 p.m., as the longtime Wentzville Fire Protection District captain is escorted through town. Shine, who was hospitalized after a recent medical emergency and died earlier this week, is being remembered by colleagues and neighbors across the county. The brief procession will move through Wentzville on its way to funeral services arranged by Pitman Funeral Home.
Procession Route And Where To Stand
According to a Facebook post by the St. Charles Police Department, the procession will enter Wentzville from I‑70, travel down Highway A onto Wentzville Parkway, then continue from Highway 61 to Pitman Funeral Home between 4 and 5 p.m. Members of the public have been asked to line Wentzville Parkway, give first responders room to move, and stay clear of the roadway as the motorcade passes through town.
Confirmed Death And Local Response
Local outlets reported that Shine died after suffering a medical emergency earlier this week, according to First Alert 4. In the days since, flags in Wentzville have been lowered to half‑staff, and departments across the region have posted condolences as friends, neighbors and fellow first responders gather to pay their respects.
The Rescue That Put Him In The Headlines
Shine first drew widespread attention for a 2015 ice rescue in Lake St. Louis, an event that helped inspire the film “Breakthrough,” and his actions that day are still recalled by those who worked the call, as detailed by Firehouse. Colleagues say his decades of service and on‑scene leadership left a lasting mark on the Wentzville department and neighboring agencies.
Long Recovery And A New Mission
After complications from heart surgery in late 2024, Shine underwent an extended rehabilitation and was later fitted with prosthetics. Coverage of his recovery and the charity he and his wife launched is detailed in an earlier profile by First Alert 4. Neighbors and firefighter groups rallied around the family during that time, and many of those same supporters have organized tributes this week.
Visitation, Service And Memorial Gifts
Pitman Funeral Home and Legacy's obituary listing show visitation set for April 22 at Pitman Funeral Home (1545 Wentzville Parkway) and a funeral service at Element Church on April 23. Memorials are being directed to the T. Shine Foundation in care of Pitman, according to the obituary posted by Legacy. The family is being served by Pitman Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Wentzville.
Neighbors, colleagues and motorists are being asked to show respect and keep the roadway clear while the motorcade moves through town. Shine leaves behind his wife, Brittany, their children and a large circle of fellow first responders who say his courage and care defined a career spent protecting others.
