KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Hundreds of police officers and firefighters from across the Midwest joined community members in Kalamazoo Wednesday to honor Comstock Township Fire Chief Ed Switalski, who was hit by a vehicle and killed last week while responding to a call.
Before the final alarm for Switalski sounded, hundreds of firefighters from Michigan, Illinois and Indiana took part in his funeral procession.
A restored 1937 fire truck carried Switalski’s body 24 miles from Langeland Family Funeral Homes through downtown Kalamazoo and Comstock Township before stopping at Wings Event Center.
Firefighters in nearly 200 fire engines followed. Observing fire service tradition, the trucks’ lights flashed but their sirens were silent.
Members of the public lined the streets to say thank you.
“I want to honor him for his service,” community member Rachel Jackson said as she stood waiving an American flag in front of the Kalamazoo County Courthouse on Michigan Avenue.