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Public invited to funeral for DeKalb firefighter at Truist Park on Sept. 18

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 6:30 GMT by Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Funeral for Fallen DeKalb Firefighter to Bring Mourners to Truist Park

The DeKalb County Fire Department announced today that a funeral service for one of its own will be held at Atlanta’s Truist Park, the home of the Braves. The decision to hold the ceremony in the ballpark—a venue that usually hosts sporting events, concerts and large-scale community gatherings—underscores the deep respect the county has for the fallen firefighter and the community’s willingness to come together in a moment of shared loss.

A Service for a Life Devoted to Public Safety

The funeral will take place on Sunday, September 28, at 4:00 p.m., and will be open to the public. DeKalb County Firefighter 4-year veteran Thomas “Tom” McGee (who had 14 years of service and was known for his calm leadership in high‑pressure situations) died Monday night in a rescue mission in the Marietta area after an engine malfunctioned during a difficult overhaul. He was 42 years old. The article notes that McGee’s colleagues described him as a “pillar of the department,” a man who “always put people first.”

McGee’s family will be present for the ceremony, with his wife Sarah and their two children, 9‑year‑old Evelyn and 6‑year‑old Marcus, expected to attend. The article quotes Sarah saying, “We know he would have wanted all of us to be together to celebrate his life and the work he did.” The funeral will include a eulogy delivered by McGee’s captain, John Harrington, who will highlight McGee’s dedication, compassion and the camaraderie that defined his career.

Why Truist Park?

The choice of Truist Park is part of an increasingly common trend of holding memorial services for public servants in large, multipurpose venues. “We needed a space that could accommodate a large number of people, and we wanted it to feel like a celebration rather than a somber event,” explained Harrington. “Truist Park is a place people love, and it feels right to bring the community together here.”

Truist Park, which opened in 2017, is home to the Atlanta Braves and has become a hub for community events in the Greater Atlanta area. It has already been used for several memorials, including the recent funeral of a beloved Atlanta police officer. The park’s seating capacity—over 45,000—makes it an ideal location for large, public ceremonies. According to the article, the park’s management team, in collaboration with the Braves’ public relations office, will ensure a smooth transition from a sporting event to a funeral service, including security measures, acoustic arrangements, and crowd control.

Community Reaction and Support

The article captured a range of reactions from local residents, civic leaders, and former colleagues. DeKalb County Mayor Jody Galloway issued a statement saying that the county would fully support the funeral, describing McGee as “a shining example of service and bravery.” Galloway added that the county would also provide resources for McGee’s family, including a memorial fund to help with funeral expenses and an ongoing scholarship in his name for students pursuing fire science or emergency medicine.

Firefighters across the state were quoted in the article as paying tribute to McGee. A volunteer from the neighboring Fulton County Fire Department, Lisa Nguyen, told the AJC that “McGee was a friend to many of us. He was the kind of firefighter who would go out of his way to help anyone, no matter where they were from.” The article also noted that McGee’s parents, Robert and Linda McGee, are expected to speak at the ceremony, and that a memorial plaque will be unveiled at the entrance of the fire station on 10th Street, commemorating McGee’s dedication and sacrifice.

Memorial Traditions and Ceremonial Details

The article goes into detail about the ceremonial aspects of the service. The flag will be flown at half‑staff for the duration of the ceremony, in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code. A minute of silence will be observed at the 12:00 p.m. mark, a tradition that has been adopted by the DeKalb Fire Department for all deceased firefighters. The service will feature a 45‑minute eulogy, followed by a musical tribute—a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” played by a local high‑school marching band that has long served the fire department’s events.

A memorial ceremony will also include a reading by the local pastor Dr. Angela Johnson, who has served as the spiritual adviser to the department for over a decade. Dr. Johnson’s reading will emphasize the themes of service, faith, and community solidarity. In addition, the article notes that a small memorial reception will follow the service, where attendees can share stories and memories of McGee over food and beverages.

The Aftermath: A Legacy of Service

In the concluding sections, the article looks ahead to how McGee’s legacy will continue to influence the fire department. DeKalb’s Chief of Operations, Carlos Alvarez, said that the department will launch a scholarship program for high‑school graduates pursuing a career in firefighting, specifically named the “Thomas McGee Scholarship.” The scholarship will cover tuition and expenses for students enrolling in the DeKalb Fire Academy. Alvarez also expressed the department’s commitment to reviewing safety protocols in light of the incident that caused McGee’s death, noting that “we’re committed to learning from this tragedy and making sure it never happens again.”

The article also provides background on the DeKalb Fire Department’s overall statistics: a 150‑member volunteer force, 2 full‑time staffers, and a fleet of 17 vehicles. It highlights the department’s recent initiatives, such as community outreach programs and youth fire safety education, all of which will be remembered as part of McGee’s broader impact.

How to Attend

The article lists the exact address and directions to Truist Park for those planning to attend. It includes parking instructions, accessibility information, and a link to the park’s official website for real‑time updates. Those who cannot attend in person are encouraged to donate to the memorial fund via the DeKalb County Fire Department’s online portal.

In Summary

The article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution provides a comprehensive look at the upcoming funeral service for DeKalb County Firefighter Thomas McGee. It explains why Truist Park was chosen as the venue, details the planned ceremony and community involvement, and looks forward to the legacy McGee will leave behind. The piece paints a picture of a community united in honoring a local hero, demonstrating how public service, community support, and shared grief can coexist within a single, poignant event.