Phoenix police to wear shrouds to honor firefighters killed fighting wildfire
Jul 1, 2013, 11:23 AM | Updated: Jul 2, 2013, 7:23 pm
PHOENIX — Phoenix police officers will be wearing badge shrouds to honor the 19 firefighters who were killed fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire near Prescott, Ariz.
According to the department’s Facebook page, the shrouds were authorized Monday by Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia.
In the announcement, the department expressed remorse over the deaths of the 19 firefighters.
The Phoenix Police Department shares a special kinship with the fire department and we shroud our badges as a symbol of this connection.
The loss of so many firefighters in a single event is horrific and strikes at the heart of first responders everywhere. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and co-workers of these fallen heroes.
Officials said Monday that the fire had burned over 8,300 acres and was still zero percent contained. Estimates said that about 200 homes were destroyed in Yarnell, Ariz.
For volunteer, fundraising and other ways to assist those affected by the Yarnell Hill Fire, go to yarnellfallenfirefighters.com.