Firefighter Lee A. Purdy Spencerville Invincible Fire Company 2000

My husband of almost thirty-five years died in the line of duty on January 8, 2000. That cold January night he responded to a structure fire in our small town with our volunteer fire department. He had been operating the pumper and was found on the ground unconscious but breathing. On the way into the hospital, we lost Lee. Despite the best efforts of the hospital, my best friend and husband was gone.

I consider myself fortunate. I was the Paramedic in charge of EMS that night and was with Lee when he left me. I had those last few precious minutes to tell him I loved him.

Even though it's been seven years, Lee's death is still felt by our community. Not a week passes that someone doesn't tell me that they thought of Lee that day.

He was a very quiet man. He loved his community and felt his fellow firefighters were brothers. Lee was the first one to volunteer for a job and the last to leave after the work was completed. He always had a kind word to say about everyone. I can't name one person who didn't respect Lee.

I miss him every day, and in his own way he tells me every day that he is with me in my heart. We had always said that after we were gone, we would like to be remembered with a smile. Lee is smiling with us today.