Many across state, region remember fallen hero Lt. Randy Parker

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents, loved ones, and firefighters from across the country are saying their final goodbyes to Macon-Bibb fallen firefighter Lt. Randy Parker.

Lt. Parker died last Wednesday battling a house fire on Fairview Drive.

Countless people from around the community and others across the state came to give their condolences to Lt. Parker’s family. 

One of his friends says he knew a side of Randy many didn’t get a chance to see, and he’ll remember that the most. 

Whether in uniform or donning a reminder of a lost fireman, hundreds came to bid farewell to Macon-Bibb Fire Lt. Randy Parker, many from across the state. 

“Firemen and the police department, it’s like a brotherhood between us and we support each other,” Dekalb County Police Department Honor Guard officer Kenneth Sapp said. 

It was a day filled with emotion. 

“When you lose one person in the fire service, we all grieve. We’re just one big family. We wanted to make sure that we were here to offer our condolences to the family and to the department,” Auburn (Alabama) Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Datnoff said. 

Signs filled streets throughout Macon, thanking Parker for paying the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

While many shed light on the leader Parker was — strong, devoted to his faith and his family, and passionate for his job — Scott Tharpe remembers Parker as a jokester, a great friend, and one with a need for speed.

“He loved motorcycles. That’s one thing that hasn’t come out in the news, but I tell you he loved to ride,” Tharpe said. 

He says he and Parker and a few others would ride up to the mountains together and hearing his friend is gone is unbelievable. 

“It just doesn’t seem real. My wife and I were sitting at home watching the news when it happened last Wednesday,” Tharpe said. 

Residents both young and old held their American flags high embracing one another. 

Some say the day serves as a reminder of what risks public safety officials take every day to protect their community and they just wanted to take the time to say thank you. 

Parker is survived by his wife, Sandie, his two sons, and several other relatives.