SAM DEAN The Roanoke Times

Danny Altice's fiancee, Frances Holley, is presented with an American flag after a graveside service for the Rocky Mount firefighter killed in an accident Monday.

Fire trucks rumbled to a stop outside Rocky Mount United Methodist Church. Inside, an organist's somber notes filled the sanctuary where William "Danny" Altice's body lay in a casket near the altar.

Rocky Mount firefighters dressed in their finest blue uniforms filed in holding their hats, and filled the pews.

It was the second time that day that the firefighters had to bury one of their own.

"If Danny were here today, Danny would tell us to keep on going," Richard Gore, the fire department's chaplain, said in the eulogy. "If Danny were here today, Danny would be back on that truck."

Gore spoke of how Altice loved firefighting, and even though some thought that at 67 he was too old for the job, he never quit.

"He loved the fire department," Gore said.

He told the Rocky Mount firefighters and the family to stay strong and support one another. "Danny doesn't want us to fall apart," he said.

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.

After the service, Altice's body was placed on fire engine No. 1 for one last ride.

Rocky Mount firefighters lined up at the back of the truck to help hoist the casket onto the engine. Around the truck, at least 100 firefighters stood in salute as an honor guard officer shouted commands.

The truck pulled away, lights flashing, down Main Street, where it was met by dozens of people on the side of the road who also saluted Altice or waved a flag or placed their hands over their hearts.

The engine drove past the Rocky Mount Fire Department, where Roanoke city firefighters staffing the station had pulled out the trucks and turned on the emergency lights. The firefighters themselves stood in a line, heads down, with their turnout gear placed neatly in front of them.

As the engine made its way onto U.S. 220 north, traffic going south stopped. Some drivers parked on the side of the road and got out to honor Altice.

A milelong motorcade of cars and emergency vehicles followed the engine and packed into Franklin Memorial Park. Firefighters gathered at the bottom of a hill and walked with the engine, some with their hands on the truck, to the top of the hill where Altice was buried.

About 300 people gathered and together recited Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer.

A Charleston, S.C., firefighter playing bagpipes filled the cemetery with the mournful notes of "Amazing Grace" while the color guard slowly and carefully folded the flag that was draped over Altice's casket. The flag was presented to Frances Holley, Altice's fiancee.

Rocky Mount firefighters lined up to hug and shake hands with the family. Then, as they passed the casket, each firefighter took the glove off his or her right hand and touched Altice's casket one last time.