Clayton salutes NC firefighter lost to COVID-19

Jason Dean’s flag-draped coffin rolled down Main Street Monday aboard his deputy chief’s fire truck — a final, somber run for the veteran firefighter.

Hundreds lined the sidewalk holding American flags on eight-foot poles, wearing red ribbons on their chests, raising their hands in a last salute.

Dean, 42, died last week of complications from COVID-19, having fought the virus for weeks after an outbreak struck the Clayton Fire Department.

Mayor Jody McLeod described Dean’s rise from a volunteer in 2000 to deputy chief at the time of his death, a passionate public servant who built up the town’s rescue response almost by himself, always looking for new opportunities for training.

He was happiest, said town spokeswoman Stacy Beard, when crawling into tight spaces or jumping into a swift boat to rescue someone trapped in the water.

And as the firetrucks paraded through downtown in a line that took 15 minutes to pass, people held their hands over their hearts in silent thanks.

“He deserves it,” said Willie Bridges, a retired Clayton firefighter. “They’re going to miss him. He was a good man. We’ve just got to take care of ourselves with this COVID-19.”

In August, an outbreak hit 17 people at the Clayton Fire Department, forcing personnel to isolate themselves as much as possible while at the station. As of last week, one firefighter and a firefighter’s spouse remained hospitalized with the virus.

The parade’s first trucks came from familiar neighbors: Wilson’s Mills, Cleveland, Garner. After the first few dozen, the trucks carried more obscure names on their doors: Elevation, Thanksgiving, Antioch, Blackman’s Crossroads.

Back at the downtown station, more than 200 people lined up to view Dean’s casket. Most wore dress uniforms and crisp white hats, arriving in red trucks that filled the parking lot.

As they reached Dean, they paused and removed their hats, giving a last nod to a colleague. A heavy pair of boots and a deputy chief’s helmet sat next to Dean, a fireman to the end.

This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 12:03 PM.