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Brian Alfred Woehlke
July 27, 1983 - May 8, 2013

Hundreds of firefighters in dress blue uniforms lined up Monday morning in Dearborn for the funeral of Brian Woehlke, a Westland department newcomer killed during a strip mall fire last week.

His flag-draped casket arrived in a 1937 retored Detroit Fire Department pumper truck, used for the first time as a ceremonial hearse.

Detroit News: More than 200 fire trucks were parked three-deep along the length of Levagood Park across the street from the Divine Child Church as firefighters, including some from Windsor, Ontario, Toronto and Toledo, joined together to memorialize Brian Woehlke. 

Detroit Free Press: Outside the church, 84-year-old Dearborn resident Jerry Wojciechowski watched as mourners gathered for the service.“I respect firemen and the job they do,” Wojciechowski said, adding that he’d never seen so many firefighters gathered in one place.

Fox 2 News: Students waved American flags as the fallen firefigher's body made its way to the church, along with a procession of fire engines.

WWJ: The public was invited to line the streets during the procession. . . . The funeral mass was followed by a formal firefighter procession to nearby St. Hedwig Cemetery. . . . “We really appreciate the community’s support. It’s been wonderful and uplifting to all of our guys in this tough time,” Wayne Westland Fire Capt. Kevin Tomaszewski told WWJ’s Beth Fisher.

Funeral procession heads to Dearborn church Monday, as shown from WJBK's (Fox 2) news helicopter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday article:

American flags are at half-staff in Lansing and government sites statewide in tribute to Brian Alfred Woehlke, a first-year Westland firefighter who died on duty May 8.

The 29-year-old Dearborn husband and father will be buried Monday afternoon at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights.

Gov. Rick Snyder called for the flag honors in a Sunday statement quoted by Dearborn Patch:

"On behalf of the entire state, I extend my sincere condolences to Brian’s family. Brian is an example of the brave men and women who protect our communities every day, and his tragic loss is a painful reminder of the risks they endure to keep us safe."


Shirt sale proceeds go to Jennifer Woehlke, who has a 13-month-old daughter, Ava.

More than 110 condolence messages are posted at the funeral home's digital guest book. Firefighters paid tribute to our fallen brother."  

Highland Park firefighters this weekend began selling a $15 memorial T-shirt "to raise money for Brian's wife and young daughter," an online order page says. "All proceeds will go directly to his family." Two hundred shirts had been reserved by Sunday afternoon.

Earlier coverage