FAIRVIEW, N.C. — A procession to honor a western North Carolina firefighter killed while working during Hurricane Helene will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, according to the Buncombe County Government.
On Sept. 27, Fairview Fire Department Battalion Chief Tony Garrison "tragically perished in the line of duty," a statement said. Garrison also served as a firefighter with the Garren Creek Fire Department.
Garrison was one of 13 people who died in the Garren Creek community in Fairview. Authorities say Garrison's nephew, Brandon Ruppe, died alongside his uncle while they tried to help their neighbors when a mudslide hit.
The other 11 people who died in Garren Creek were all part of the same family, the Craig family, who lived in an area known as "Craigtown" within the Garren Creek community.
Those interested in attending the procession are asked to go to the parking lot of the Ingles on 225 Charlotte Highway in Asheville at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. When you arrive, you are asked to check in with Deputy Chief Ken Letford at 828-777-4271.
A funeral will be held Wednesday for Garrison, but it will be private and by invitation only. Formal invitations will be extended at the discretion of the family.
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