Hundreds Honor Fallen Perryville Fire Captain

More than 500 friends, relatives, and colleagues paid their final respects Saturday to Perryville volunteer fire Captain David Barr, reports WBAL.com.

The 47-year veteran Cecil County firefighter died nine days ago from injuries he suffered when he was struck by a car while directing traffic at an accident on U.S. Route 40 in Perryville last month, the station said.

Mike Dixon, spokesman for the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services, said Barr first joined the Water Witch Fire Company in Port Deposit when he was 16. 

Barr, 64, was a professional firefighter for 34 years, working for the federal government. He served 34 years at the Perry Point Veterans Hospital and retired as a lieutenant after 34 years of service, according to his obituary on CecilDaily.com.

The obituary said Barr "devoted his life to the fire service and to serving the citizens of Cecil County. Whenever there was an emergency or something needed to be done in the firehouse, he was one of the first to volunteer and was often tapped to lead important functions."

More than 500 people came to Minker Banquet Hall to honor Barr’s memory, including firefighters, paramedics, fire police, emergency medical technicians and law enforcement officers from Harford County, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, reported CecilDaily.com.

From there, a procession of police and fire company vehicles carried Barr’s body to West Nottingham Presbyterian Cemetery, where he was buried with full honors. Barr’s casket was carried on Perryville’s antique fire truck from Minker Hall to the cemetery, passing under a display of flags on ladder trucks. A honor guard of motorcyclists also rode with the procession from the service to the internment.

The Perryville Community Fire Company's Facebook page has this message for Barr: "Thanks for always having our back David. Rest easy Brother, we will take it from here."