UPDATED: Homewood Firefighters Honored in Springfield Ceremony for Sacrifice and Valor

The memory of Homewood Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Colin Carey was honored Thursday in the state capital at the Illinois Firefighter Memorial.

Carey was one of nine fallen firefighters in Illinois whose family received the Duty Death Gold Badge Award.

"I want to say to the families who've lost a loved one protecting us, our faith teaches us that we will see your loved ones again and thank them for a devoted life of service," Gov. Pat Quinn said Thursday during the ceremony.

In the same ceremony, Homewood Firefighter/Paramedic Karra Kopas, Hazel Crest Firefighter James Shields and Hazel Crest Lt. Kevin Sears received the Medal of Honor, the state's highest award for acts of bravery in the line of duty.

The ceremony began in the State Capitol Complex area with the presentation of colors and an invocation at the memorial, followed by the awards ceremony at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

“The bravery recognized here today proves that it takes an extraordinary person to be a firefighter,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis. “Day in and day out, these men and women put their lives on the line to protect us.

"Today we’re also reminded of the dangers of this noble profession, as we solemnly honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty.”

The 28-year-old Carey died in a March 2010 fire on Lincoln Avenue while trying to rescue the elderly homeowner. Carey's death was the first line-of-duty death in Homewood Fire Department history.

Kopas and Carey went into the house that night to save 87-year-old Wendell Elias, who was partially paralyzed and trapped in a burning electric lounge chair in the back room of his house. Trapped inside with the fire burning hot and fast, possibly due to the presence of oxygen tanks in the house, Sears and Shields went in after them.

Kopas endured first-and-second-degree burns in the blaze. The homeowner also died.

Illinois firefighters on motorcycles made the trek to Springfield Wednesday morning for the ceremony, starting in Homewood at the fire station. Known as the Fallen Axes Run, this year's ride benefited the Brian Carey Memorial Fund.

PHOTO GALLERIES

Thursday morning's ceremony in Springfield at the Illinois Firefighter Memorial was covered by the Associated Press photojournalist Seth Perlman.

Wednesday's departure from the Homewood Fire Department was covered by Sun-Times Media photojournalist Joseph P. Meier in a photo gallery.

THE GOVERNOR'S WORDS

Listen to Gov. Pat Quinn's remarks to the firefighters' families.