POSTED: Friday, December 7, 2012 - 10:43pm
UPDATED: Friday, December 7, 2012 - 11:04pm
Tyler, TX — The candlelight vigil for Jackon Heights Volunteer Firefighter Jalen Smith was held earlier tonight. The 19-year-old died earlier this week from massive injuries sustained during an accident where he was thrown from the vehicle.
His fellow firefighters at Jackson Heights honored his memory and felt the loss.
Fire Chief Terrance Thomas told KETK "some of the firefighters are doing extremely well, unlike me, but some of them are in counseling."
During the vigil Jalen's mother and a number of others remembered the life that was cut too short. Fire Chief Thomas said "he was going to start the fire academy. They had already approved hat. He was going to start in january. It's so sad that he can't do that"
The Smith County Volunteer Firefighters Association sent out a press release with details on the funeral:
A traditional firefighter funeral service for Firefighter Jalen Smith will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012 with public viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and the official services will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Green Acres Baptist Church “Chapel” located at 1607 Troup Highway, Tyler, TX.
The procession will follow to gravesite at Asbury Cemetery located at 19190 FM 2089, Overton, TX.
A memorial fund has been established in behalf of Firefighter Jalen Smith at Austin Bank. Donations can be made at any Austin Bank location. The account is set us as: Jackson Heights Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Account for Jalen Smith.