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Crime & Safety

Bonney Lake Memorial Marks Third Anniversary Of Fire Chief's Death

A permanent memorial has been erected inside the East Pierce Fire & Rescue headquarters on Old Buckley Road to keep Chief Dan Packer's memory alive.

Friends, relatives, co-workers and community members came together in Bonney Lake Tuesday to remember Fire Chief Dan Packer, who was killed in the line of duty three years ago, and to .

East Pierce Fire & Rescue dispatchers broadcast a memorial message to all stations at 8:30 a.m. as on-duty personnel assembled in front of their respective stations.

That was followed by a moment of silence, honoring Packer and other firefighters. Station flags were then lowered to half-staff.

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Packer, 49, had just begun a two-week assignment as a division supervisor overseeing wildland firefighting efforts in the Klamath National Forest in Northern California when the blaze suddenly erupted during a routine area survey. He died July 26, 2008.

On Tuesday, Deputy Fire Chief John McDonald told a crowd in front of headquarters station on Old Buckley Highway that Packer had a profound influence on East Pierce fire & Rescue's development.

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“We said at the time we would make sure his memory was carried on through us in this community,” McDonald said. “In the process, we’ve put together a dedicated wall to Dan, so that those of who were here when he was serving as our chief would never forget what he meant to us as a friend, mentor and leader -- and what he meant to his family as a dad, husband and grandfather.”

On hand were Packer’s wife, Marylee, his two daughters, his son-in-law and two grandchildren.

Fire Chief Jerry Thorson said he met Packer when the latter was a firefighter recruit in 1981.

“Most firefighters spend that time at the academy worrying about just passing the class,” Thorson said. “Dan Packer had a vision back then and it was easy to see where he was headed in his career.

“I believe he accomplished a lot as a fire chief, not only in East Pierce but throughout the state with his work with other fire chiefs. We at East Pierce owe Dan a debt of gratitude for his vision and how he pulled this organization together.”

Thorson said the greatest tribute the community can make is to carry on Packer’s spirit, his attitude toward customer service and to take care of each other.

“On this this third anniversary, I ask every one of us to take that to heart,” Thorson said.

Following Thorson’s remarks, guests were invited inside the headquarters station to reminisce and inspect the permanent memorial erected to Packer down the lengthy of one hallway. Items from his personal and professional life, from the accident and from his memorial service, are displayed in two large wood and glass cases and on the wall.

“We are especially grateful to the Packer family for their generosity in loaning us numerous personal items for display,” McDonald said.

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