Bucks Firefighters Honor Line Of Duty Death Of City Firefighter

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — Bucks County firefighters gave a Philadelphia firefighter a final salute this week by staging a ladder arch at the entrance to the Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

Sixty-year-old John Garrow was laid to rest this week at the cemetery in Upper Makfield after a 32 year career with the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Fire trucks from the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company and Newtown Fire Rescue raised their ladders toward the heavens and hung an American flag between them at the entrance to the cemetery on Creamery Road as a symbol of Garrow passing from one life to the next.

John Garrow, 32-year member of the Philadelphia Fire Department.

(Photo by Jeff Golberg)

Garrow, a battalion chief with the department, was beginning his shift with Battalion 8 on the C Platoon when he fell ill and later died on Feb. 19. Because he fell ill while on duty, his death is considered a line of duty death.

Garrow had served the company for 32 years after graduating from the Philadelphia Fire Academy in 1993. Prior to joining the department, he was as a Combat Engineer with the U.S. Army.

Garrow was the chief of battalion 8 where he oversaw daily operations, training and emergency response at fire stations in five areas of the city. He also taught classes at the Philadelphia Fire Academy.

Bucks County firefighters were on hand to recognize the line-of-duty death of Philadelphia firefighter John Garrow. (Photo by Jeff Goldberg)

Police escort the Philadelphia firefighters to the Washington Crossing National Cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Goldberg)

Newtown Fire Association's Ladder 45 and Yardley-Makefield Ladder form the Ladder Arch at the entrance to the cemetery on Creamery Road in Upper Makefield. (Photo by Jeff Goldberg)