[View the story "Laying Chicago Fire Capt. Herbie Johnson to rest" on Storify ]Laying Chicago Fire Capt. Herbie Johnson to rest Herbie Johnson was more than a firefighter. He was beloved. He was a hero. and he was mourned by hundreds on Thursday after being killed last week in a South Side fire. Reporters Lauren FitzPatrick and Tina Sfondeles were on hand to witness. Storified by Chicago Sun-Times · Thu, Nov 08 2012 14:17:49
#ripherbieTaylor Craven
From the reporting of Sfondeles and FitzPatrick Hundreds gather to bid farewell to fallen firefighter, 'a bully for love' - Chicago Sun-TimesA sea of blue uniforms gathered under a slate gray sky Thursday morning as hundreds of firefighters from around the country joined the fa...
Hundreds gather to bid farewell to fallen firefighter, 'a bully for love' - PhotoGallery - Chicago Sun-TimesA sea of blue uniforms gathered under a slate gray sky Thursday morning as hundreds of firefighters from around the country joined the fa...
#RIPHerbie 79th street full of uniformed firefighters, police walking to the funeral.Lauren FitzPatrick
Mayor Rahm Emanuel arrives at funeral, shakes hands out front #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"I went to the station house, Tom," mayor says to union prez. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Apparently stars of TV show Chicago Fire just went into St Rita's. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Award for farthest travel currently goes to gentlemen from Montreal #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
How I knew I was walking the right way #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/3GAqKfiELauren FitzPatrick
#mre here to offer condolences #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/N9JpzQgDLauren FitzPatrick
#ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/A65s2IPqLauren FitzPatrick
Mayor. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/Ze4G56wpLauren FitzPatrick
Lining every pole and tree on S Western Ave near 79th #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/q2lvcoIFLauren FitzPatrick
Awaiting hearse #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/8Lvr70wyLauren FitzPatrick
"Officers, front of the line, let's go! Drop the sunglasses, get rid of the smokes!" #RIPHerbie http://pic.twitter.com/pvMwtwFhLauren FitzPatrick
Handmade posters with pictures of fallen firefighter Herbie Johnson lining St. Rita church. #RIPherbieTina Sfondeles
Lining up now. Orders coming to fall in. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
A sea of Chicago firemen and police officers lined up outside the church. #RIPherbieTina Sfondeles
Inside st Rita's: handmade posters with family pics, including Herbie & sue celebrating their 25th anniversary in Ireland #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Instructions being given now to lines of firefighters: when to stand at attention, when to dismiss #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Bagpipes started. Chatter silent now. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
One poster full of pictures of Herbie and his wife Sue celebrating their 25th anniversary in Ireland. #RIPherbieTina Sfondeles
Outside. sorry, got no names yet. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/YPsRgjPZLauren FitzPatrick
Scene outside St. Rita. Bagpipes beginning to sound. #RIPherbie http://pic.twitter.com/OkBk0scyTina Sfondeles
Front lines holding flags, ceremonial axes #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Row saved for Chicago Fire tv show out of respect to CFD. They've been consulting cast for months . #RIPherbieTina Sfondeles
They're here. Filing north on Western Ave. motorcycles, fire trucks, funeral procession. #ripherbieLauren FitzPatrick
Johnson family arrives. Silence. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"Uniformed members attention!" And bagpipes. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Procession approaches. Flags in front, flashing lights farther back. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"Uniformed members salute!" #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Sound of bagpipes outside now filling the church as mourners sit in silence. #RIPherbieTina Sfondeles
#RIPHerbie brother in front line of bagpipesLauren FitzPatrick
Engine 123 here now. Fetching casket from back of truck #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Only noise is rhythm of marching feet and an overhead chopper. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Casket draped in Chicago flag going in #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Piano plays inside as mourners file in #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Sound being piped outside for the rest of us who won't fit. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"Come follow me and I shall give you rest," #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"Uniformed members, fall out!" They hurry inside. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
#ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/gajmmHjfLauren FitzPatrick
"I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have called you and you are mine." #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
The firefighters were lined up by battalion behind flags. Herbie's was closest to steps to greet his family #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Capt. Johnson's fire helmet on front pew with the mayor, and CFD commissioners. #ripherbieTina Sfondeles
Herbie was a bully for love and life, his priest at St. Rita said. #ripherbieTina Sfondeles
Mayor Emanuel to Herbie's family: "your city is there for you." #ripherbieTina Sfondeles
"Our city was richer. Our city was greater because of Herbie Johnson," the mayor says. #ripherbieTina Sfondeles
Some 5400 firefighters walked through viewing last night, priest says #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
The Axemen are here from Detroit. Firefighter motorcycle club? #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Axemen in from Detroit #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/1p9K55DhLauren FitzPatrick
New York firefighter just got one from LA a ride to bourbon st afterward #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Lining up again for the recessional. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/4GKnRMhgLauren FitzPatrick
Bell rung #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art" #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
"When Irish eyes are smiling sure they'll steal your heart away" #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
Recessional #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/5dkgidroLauren FitzPatrick
"Uniformed members, attention!" #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
#ripherbie engine 123 http://pic.twitter.com/inI8tTFsLauren FitzPatrick
Exit mayor. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick
CFD Commissioner Jose Santiago getting laughs and applause saying Herbie was there, saying "sucks to be you right now Jose." #ripherbieTina Sfondeles
Capt. Johnson's casket wrapped in Chicago flag, on his way to his final resting place, atop a fire truck. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/QRHOmetCTina Sfondeles
"Mom and dad, Herbie's home"- his brother John says. #ripherbieTina Sfondeles
Reactions and prayers from Chicagoans for Herbie RT @Came2MARTY: Only true heroes get a wake and funeral like that #ripHerbiefiona haran
Heroes are Remember, but Legends never Die #ripHerbieMark Robinson
RT @SaweetLee: I can only wish to receive a decimal of the send off Herbie just got #RIPHerbieJoe B
RT @wheres_OSWALDo: So as we go from day to day and pray to God above, say a prayer for your local fireman- he may save the ones you love. #CFD #RIPHerbieColleen Fashing
RT @Chris_Crossxx: the amount of support at today's funeral was unbelievable #ripherbie http://instagr.am/p/RyCOb3BoAy/fiona haran
Only true heroes get a wake and funeral like that #ripHerbieMarty Napleton
Can't believe how big the funeral was.#amazing #hero #RipherbieCharlie Pienta
RT @Mayor_Daly7: A fallen hero of the Chicago Fire Department #RIPHerbie #SouthSideHero #CFD http://pic.twitter.com/lkXRlYipBrian Neumann
So as we go from day to day and pray to God above, say a prayer for your local fireman- he may save the ones you love. #CFD #RIPHerbieTaylor
RT @dhett2: After watching the funeral online I am so blessed to come from such a great family, friends, and community #RIPHERBIE #restinpeaceDelanie Garrett
#CFD #RIPHerbieColin Michael
western avenue doesn't get shut down for just anybody! #ripHerbieBobby Gallagher
"@Sandylikeabeach: & moments like these are why I'm proud to be from the Southside #cfd #RIPCaptainJohnson http://pic.twitter.com/CvGy1uaz" RIPHerbieBecky Bernard
RT @tr0picHANNAH: My heart goes out to the Johnson family. #RIPHerbie #truehero #CFDBrianna Gyrion
RT @l0UB_me_UP: when irish eyes are smiling #RIPHerbieCaity
Didn't know him, but still makes me cry. RIPHerbie http://pic.twitter.com/AKMhg3kVNancy Edwards
Watching the funeral online seeing everyone come together makes me grateful to be a part of such a great community #southside #RIPHERBIEJake Thome
Prayers go out to the #cfd and friends/ family of Mr. Johnson #RIPherbieJames Stillson
That mass was just one of those had to be there moments #unreal #RIPHerbieJimmy Smolik
My heart goes out to the Johnson family. #RIPHerbie #truehero #CFDhannnnnah ludwigggg~
#RIPHerbieKalin Burke
RT @NEUM_onia: I love seeing things like this #respect #cfd #RIPHerbie http://pic.twitter.com/NZneBzAmP.J. Murphy
Its amazing how many people are here right now #cpd #ripherbieJake McGowan
RT @Cowboywayne5: #RIPHerbieMaura Harrington
watching some of the funeral coverage for the CFD captain killed last week in a fire. :-( RIPHerbieDani
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