Hundreds of people descended on a small Franklin County town Friday to observe the final call of its fallen firefighters Posey Dillon and William "Danny" Altice.

Dillon and Altice died in an accident Monday doing what they loved to do -- serving the public. Responding to a call out of Union Hall, the fire truck they were in crashed when it was clipped by an SUV.

The deaths are the first of any on-duty firefighter in the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department, and the community filled the churches and lined the streets to honor them.

Two separate funeral services highlighted both men's service to their community.

Before their remains were placed in the ground, the county dispatch broadcast a last call to the pagers and radios of area law enforcement.

"Thank you ... for a job well done."

-- Janelle Rucker | The Roanoke Times

Photo by Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times

Danny Altice's fiancee, Frances Holley, is presented with an American flag after a graveside service Friday.

Remembering Danny Altice: Firefighter takes his final ride on fire engine No. 1

"If Danny were here today, Danny would tell us to keep on going," a chaplain said of the longtime firefighter.

And he said it was important to keep Altice, and Posey Dillon, alive in memory. "When you see a fire truck go by, think of our brothers," Gore said.

Guest book: Sign the guest book for Danny Altice

Photo by Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Ann Dillon, widow of Rocky Mount Fire Chief and Vice Mayor Posey Dillon, holds a flag that was draped over his casket during his burial service Friday.

Remembering Posey Dillon: Community showers civic leader and firefighter with love

Posey Dillon was remembered for his untiring service on the town council and his dedication to the fire department.

"He didn't do it so we would stand here today and say how good he was," said the Rev. David Long. "He done it out of love for his fellow man, from his heart."

Guest book: Sign the guest book for Posey Dillon

Previous coverage

• Dillon and Altice: Lives of shared service in Rocky Mount
• Rocky Mount readies itself for hundreds of mourners
• Investigation continues as Rocky Mount mourns loss
• Rocky Mount in shock after firefighters' deaths
• Rocky Mount fire chief, firefighter die in crash

Timeline: Intersecting lives

• Browse a timeline of Posey Dillon's and Danny Altice's public service

Photo gallery

• See a gallery of photos from Posey Dillon's and Danny Altice's funerals
• View photos from the crash