DIXIE COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Dixie County Fire Rescue (DCFR) has announced the funeral arrangements for their fellow firefighter.
55-year-old Andrew English was found dead on Monday after being reported missing two days earlier.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the funeral arrangements for Battalion Chief Andrew English,” wrote DCFR in a Facebook post. “We have surrounded our department and Chief English’s family with love and unrelenting support over the past few days.”
The funeral is set to take place this Saturday, May 25, at the Dixie County High School which is located at 17924 U.S. Highway 19 South in Cross City. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Several agencies will be sending fire trucks and other fire apparatus to line the school’s parking lot in a show of respect for English’s service to several North Central communities.
According to DCFR, English’s career spanned 36 years. During that time, he worked for agencies in Chiefland, as well as Levy, Marion and Dixie Counties.
“Andy was a pioneer and true craftsman of the trade, dedicating a generous portion of his time as an instructor for many different agencies, where he taught hundreds if not thousands of students,” wrote DCFR on Facebook.
DCFR has requested fellow departments to bring a challenge coin to put on Chief English’s coin rack for his sons.
Other departments have offered to provide mutual aid coverage so that his colleagues can attend the funeral, pay respects and have time to cope with their loss.
“We appreciate our brothers and sisters in Fire Rescue and Law Enforcement reaching out to provide assistance,” wrote DCFR in response.
The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) initially issued a “Purple Alert” on Saturday after it was reported that English had disappeared. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says the Purple Alert system is designed to help locate missing adults who have a mental or cognitive disability that does not stem from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related disorders, brain injuries, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The cause of English’s death has not been made public.
On Tuesday, DCFR asked the community to line the streets as they transported English’s body from the medical examiner’s office in Gainesville to Rick Gooding Funeral Home in Cross City.
Emergency units from DCFR along with aid from the Sheriff’s Offices in Alachua, Gilchrist and Dixie formed a procession and escorted him for the 50-mile journey.
Chief English’s passing has hit the North Central Florida’s emergency services community hard.
“We are devastated by this news and ask for continued prayers for the family, colleagues, and every individual that has played a part in his life,” said DCFR in a Facebook post. “Chief English brought a wealth of knowledge, passion, and unwavering dedication to the fire service during a long career.”