Family and friends, as well as hundreds of firefighters, police officers, emergency service personnel and dignitaries, paid their respects and said their goodbyes to fallen Delaware City Volunteer Fire Company firefighter Michelle Newton Smith Monday morning.

    The line of duty funeral services were held at the Delaware City Fire Company on Fifth Street. A viewing was held there Sunday evening. More than 20 agencies and companies assisted with the ceremonial duties provided logistical support.

    Delaware City Fire Company Chief Jamie Rosseel observed, “while our sorrow is evident on our faces, we are here today to honor Michelle’s dedication and celebrate her life. With the support of those who gathered here today, we will continue forward with that same dedication in her memory.”

    After a service inside the fire hall, 1,300 firefighters and members of the emergency service response agencies from across the state and region assembled in front of the hall, filling the street. Smith’s family and friends followed behind them.

    Also in attendance were Governor-elect Jack Markell, Lt. Governor-elect Matt Denn, Lt. Gov. John Carney, State Auditor Tom Wagner, New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, State Sen. Bruce Ennis (D-14th district) and Congressman Mike Castle, among other dignitaries.

    Coons had ordered all county flags to be flown at half mast until the end of services Monday.

    Smith died Dec. 22 from injuries she sustained while responding to a motorcycle accident on U.S. 13 Dec. 20. That night, Smith was driving an ambulance for Delaware City that was providing coverage for the Wilmington Manor Fire Company. It was called to the scene and as Smith was providing aid to Edward Reiss, 30, they were both hit by a BMW driven by Joseph Taye.

    As music played, provided by the bagpipers and drummers of the Camden County Emerald Society, Smith’s casket, draped in an American flag, was carried to a Delaware City fire truck by fellow members of the company. Those standing in uniform saluted.

    Black cloth covered the truck and the fire hall. The truck’s lights and other features also were covered. After the casket was place on top of the truck, flowers were placed around it. Her fire turnout gear was also placed on the truck.

    The last alarm for Smith was given and county agencies were paged that Smith had died.

    Her Delaware City badge number, 15-107, was retired and worn on mourning bands by all Delaware City Fire Department members.

    The truck circled the fire hall a last time before proceeding to Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna.

    Leaving Delaware City, a procession of more than 135 fire and emergency response vehicles from agencies throughout Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey followed, covering five miles.

    Ladder trucks from Wilmington Manor and Christiana Fire Company displayed an American flag at the intersection of Del. 72 and U.S. 13, which symbolized Michelle’s passing through an archway to heaven.

    As the procession made its way down Del. 1, each overpass was draped with an American flag and firefighters saluted. Members of the Odessa Fire Company hung fireman’s flags at two overpasses along the way. Trucks provided by the Delaware Department of Transportation blocked traffic from getting onto Del. 1 until the procession passed and held following traffic at bay.

    The Delaware City Police, New Castle County Police and Delaware State Fire Police also assisted with traffic control throughout the day.

    At Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna, ladder trucks from the Delaware City Fire Company and Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown displayed an American flag, creating another archway to heaven.

    A bell ceremony was performed at the interment by the “Bells of Remembrance.” Brother David Schlatter, past chaplain of Wilmington Fire Department, rang a large bell, traditionally done to start and end the shift for firefighters and to alert firefighters on shift to an alarm. The ringing of this bell was done in honor of Smith responding to her last alarm and being laid to rest.

    The flag covering Smith’s casket was presented to her family by Chief James D. Rosseel.

    Taps was played at the interment by bugle players from the Wilmington Fire Department and New Castle County Police.

Help from the community

    The services were coordinated by the family and Delaware City Fire Company membership, in coordination with Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC in Middletown.

    Stapleford’s Chevrolet provided buses for emergency personnel wishing to attend Sunday’s viewing and Monday’s services.

    After the interment, a luncheon was held at the Delaware City Fire Company, catered by LeChateau.

    The Valero Refinery and Colonial School District provided their parking lot facilities during the viewing on Sunday.

    Critical incident counseling teams from the State Firefighters Association have been available during the services to assist with grief support.

    In addition, other area fire companies provided coverage for the Delaware City Fire Company in six hour shifts during the services.

    The Delaware City Fire Company stated that they and Michelle’s family “have been extremely touched by the kind words, expression of condolences and the showing of support by the entire Delaware City community. To our brothers and sisters in the fire service community, we are deeply indebted to all of you for your support and assistance during this difficult time.”