A final salute for Captain Chris Truman was held at Lake Mills High School Sunday evening. During the funeral service, Gov. Scott Walker sat in the front row as friends and family shared their favorite memories of the 46-year-old. The service had a mixture of laughter and tears.
"The final page is always moving, when you hear that name called knowing there's going to be no response," said fire department chaplain, Dave Sobek.
"It was an amazing tribute to an amazing man and I was honored to be a part of it. I was honored to know him. I was honored to be his friend," said Lake Mills Police Chief Mick Selck.
Selck and Truman were close friends for 5 years. Selck's 11-year-old son understood the pain his father and the community have suffered. Before the funeral, he made him a card to make his dad feel better. It read, "Dad I know that you're in pain and so am I. It's sad. I know but we can all get through this as a team. We will all remember Chris Truman as a caring, loving and gentle hero," said Selck.
Truman was a firefighter with Lake Mills for 13 years. He lived his life with passion, dedication, and commitment to his fellow brothers.
"No doubt in my mind that if he survived this, he would have done it again. Without a question. It was who he was," said Sobek.
Capt. Truman's legacy will not be forgotten as loved ones try to follow in his example of caring for others. Loved ones and family members said the best way to honor Capt. Truman is to give back and help out one another.
"The best way to honor captain Truman is to help out and help those around you. Pay it forward if there is someone you can help, a neighbor someone who is having a hard time. By helping our your friends and people you don’t know, you’re honoring his memory," said Selck.
