Hundreds of people lined the streets of Goldsby and Purcell on Friday to honor the two volunteer firefighters killed when their firetruck crashed.
The two men, who were identified as Todd Pendleton and Bryan Jenkins, were involved in a crash between Goldsby and Washington at about 3 a.m. Friday. Later that day, members of their communities lined Highway 74 to show support for the men who lost their lives.
“These firefighters have spent their lives in service of their community. They served alongside their family, friends and neighbors. The town of Goldsby mourns their loss and honors their memory,” Deputy Cary Bryant with the McClain County Sheriff’s Office said.
Pendleton was a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. Jenkins was a volunteer firefighter for 35 years.
“I always realize, or stop and think about, what they give up in order to protect us, and I know that so many times, even I’m guilty of taking for granted what it means to go to bed at night and know you’re safe, have that safe feeling. So, I just wanted to pay my respects,” Donna Haffner, who attended the procession, said.
Pendleton and Jenkins were answering a call to protect a burning home when their firetruck crashed into two trees, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
“The heart and soul of a volunteer firefighter is their community, and they were very much a part of this community, and that community was very much a part of them,” Bryant said.
People from all over the area came to McClain County to show their support.
“There are also, you know, calls of support from all over the place. Anytime anybody in public service dies, it’s an outpouring of emotion and an outpouring of respect, and we have certainly felt that right now,” Bryant said.
