Firefighter Chris Blankenship honored
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DOWNTOWN JACKSON, Tenn. — Thousands gathered Thursday to honor a fallen West Tennessee hero. Firefighters from across the state and country were in Jackson to pay their respects to Madison County Firefighter Chris Blankenship. Firefighter Blankenship died last weekend after a tree fell on him as he worked to put out a car fire along Highway 18. Thursday, in traditional firefighter fashion, he was given a hero’s goodbye. “Today we’re laying one of our brothers to rest,” Madison County Fire Chief Eric Turner said. An American flag stood at attention over Blankenship’s funeral. “There’s a lot of tradition in the fire service,” Turner said. “And unfortunately there’s a lot of tradition in firefighter funerals.” And that tradition was shown through prayer and the ringing of the firefighters’ bell. “It’s a fitting tribute for a good guy that made a sacrifice,” said firefighter Gary Combs with the Hardin County Fire Department. Hundreds of local firefighters packed in to show their respects for their fallen brother. “Every city and county all over West Tennessee came out here,” Combs said. “To support Madison County here today is really a good feeling.” Blankenship died while voluntarily protecting the people of Madison County, and his fellow firefighters say he was doing what he loved. “He was a firefighter’s firefighter,” Turner said. “He was always smiling. I’m not sure if he ever had a bad day, because we never saw that.” A 10-year veteran of the Madison County Fire Department, Blankenship is survived by his wife and two young children.
