(KCEN) -- Thousands of first responders gathered today to remember a comrade killed in the line of duty responding to a fire in upstate New York.
Police pall-bearers guided a flag draped casket carrying the body of volunteer Firefighter and Police Lieutenant Michael Chiapperini into a high school in Webster, New York.
The 43-year-old was one of two firefighters gunned down by an ex-con who deliberately set his house on fire to lure fire crews into a deadly ambush.
Chief Gerald Pickering of Webster Police Department said, "Lt.. Michael Chiapperini, car 941 you are 10-7 your work, your work is done here. Rest in peace my friend."
Investigators say William Spengler killed the two firefighters and injured two others before killing himself early on Christmas Eve.
The 62-year-old gunman served 17 years in prison in the beating death of his grandmother.
