By Joshua Huff, sports editor
SPRINGVILLE – The Springville Fire and Rescue Department honored one of its own on Wednesday during a wreath laying ceremony and groundbreaking of a memorial garden in remembrance of fallen firefighter Jared Echols.
Echols was killed in 2019 while participating in recruit training at the Anniston Regional Training Center.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at the Springville Fire Station No. 1.
“Today is a solemn day for this department. About a year ago, we lost a great man,” Springville Fire Chief Richard Harvey said as he stood under a flag raised at half staff and before the wreath created in honor of Echols. “Although Jared will be missed, he will never be forgotten. We’ll make sure that from this day forward, that on this day, we will remember Jared.”
During the ceremony, Harvey laid out the plans for the memorial garden, which is to reside in front of the Springville Fire Station No. 1 to honor Echols, all retirees and those who have passed.
“We want to build a garden not only in Jared’s memory but also for police that have retired, former fireman no longer with us. We want to have something we can remember those people and carry on a piece of history,” Harvey said.
The groundbreaking was conducted by Harvey, Springville Mayor William Isley and Echols’ grandmother.
Echols, who died at the age of 35, was remembered as a man who always put others first and desired to help others.
“Jared’s infectious smile and positive personality may be gone, but he will never be forgotten,” Harvey said.