Assistant Chief Fields Makes Final Trip to His Youngsville Station

This morning the cremated remains of Youngsville Assistant Chief Jeff Fields made their final trip back to the station for a public visitation with the family.

The mood was notably reserved and somber as firefighters from a number of different departments, and local residents and friends, came together at the Youngsville Fire Department Station 1.

Fields was known to drive truck 41 as much as possible and since he had responded to over half of all calls over the last decade, he was behind the wheel of his beloved truck quite often.

Truck 41 was draped in black bunting in preparation for the trip to Bright Funeral Home in Wake Forest to pick up his remains and bring Assistant Chief Fields back home.

Youngsville Truck 41 departs to pick up remains of its best friend, Assistant Chief Fields as the door descends one last time.
Youngsville Truck 41 departs to pick up remains of its best friend, Assistant Chief Fields as the door descends one last time.

A memorial had been readied in the station to celebrate the memory of Fields, a man with a big smile and a large sense of humor. Fields would have most certainly appreciated the advice of the leader of the honor guard to those who would participate, “If you feel faint just march yourself off before you pass out. Hey, its happened before.”

A tribute to Assistant Chief Fields is organized in advance of family and friends arriving. Pictures of Fields are projected in background.
A tribute to Assistant Chief Fields is organized in advance of family and friends arriving. Pictures of Fields are projected in background.

The mood was somber and quiet as the gathering members of various fire departments arrived while waiting for friends and family to come for the visitation to be held.

Firefighters milled around the station and made idle chat as they awaited the return of Fields on his trusty Engine 41. Not long after, the faint sounds of sirens could be heard in the distance as the Franklin County Sheriff’s office led Truck 41 back into Youngsville with lights and sirens blazing.

Youngsville Truck 41 returns with the remains of Assistant Chief Fields as officers and firefighters pay respects.
Youngsville Truck 41 returns with the remains of Assistant Chief Fields as officers and firefighters pay respects.

Former Youngsville Chief Scott White, who is now a Captain with the Raleigh Fire Department, was asked to bring in the remains of Assistant Chief Fields upon his return to the station for the last time.

Emotional firefighters and officers honor the remains with a proud salute as the remains are returned to the station.
Emotional firefighters and officers honor the remains with a proud salute as they return to the station.

Members of the honor guard stand next to the remains of Assistant Chief Fields after they were returned to the station.

IMG_6470

The mood can only be described as both reverent and loving as men from the Youngsville Fire Department stood in recognition of Fields as they faced the family members prior to visitors being allowed in.

A moment of mutual silence unfolded as members of Fields' fire department family and his friends and family members come together in private.
A moment of mutual silence unfolded as members of Fields’ fire department family and his friends and family members come together in private.

After breaking ranks Youngsville Chief Tommie Lloyd gave the wife of Assistant Chief Fields a massive hug as his Fields’ daughter and Youngsville firefighter Emily Fields looks on.

IMG_6485

Leave a Comment