SAN ANTONIO – A second procession, including firefighters, family members and firefighter Scott Deem's casket, passed through the city around 11 a.m. Friday.
The funeral procession left Porter Loring Funeral Home and traveled by the Alamo before traveling onto U.S. 281.
Community members held flags alongside firefighters on highway overpasses along the route.
"We have firefighters that we love that go to church with us, and we just want to give our support to all of our first responders. My brother was a 26-year police officer, and I just appreciate all that they do," said Hope Cornwell, a San Antonio Resident.
"It means a great support not only firefighters showing support, but our city, community, showing support for the fire department. It's an overwhelming experience," said Lt. Daniel Smith, with Fire
Station 39.
The public was invited to attend Deem’s funeral.
Mourners at the funeral paid their final respects. Many of them never even knew Deem.
Michael Hattenbach and his wife came all the way from Yorktown.
"No question about it. We had to be here," Hattenbach said.
"The whole city is heartbroken. The whole city would be here if they could," said Cindi Segura, a mourner from the community.
Family members of firefighters who were fighting the fire that claimed Deem's said they were desperate to get ahold of their loved ones that night.
"She finally texted me that she was okay, but she was getting busy and she would talk to me later. That's all I really needed to know, that she was okay," said Janie Garcia, a firefighter's mother.
San Antonio Police Officer Michael Gonzalez has been with the police department's pipe and drum corps for just over two months. He wanted to be at the funeral to support Deem.
"Just because we're SAPD doesn't mean that we don't feel the same pain," he said. "It's an honor to play in honor of him, but we'll try our best."
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