Family and loved ones remember fallen firefighter
LOUISBURG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Hundreds of firefighters from across the Triangle and around the state paid their respects Saturday to one of their fallen brothers.
A visitation was held in Louisburg for John Gupton. The 24-year-old volunteer firefighter in Justice was killed while responding to a call.
"He was a very young kid. It was tragic and nobody wants to ever have to deal with this," said Michael Brown, from the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Association.
Gupton was killed Tuesday in the 1300 block of Sykes Road, which is just south of Ruffin Collie Road -- northeast of Bunn.
He was driving a tanker truck. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office said he failed to negotiate a curve the road and the truck flipped. Gupton died instantly.
Gupton had been a volunteer firefighter in the Town of Justice since 2009. He followed his dad and grandfather into this line of service.
The firefighting community and the community as a whole have been in shock over what happened.
"The fire department obviously they're grieving. They're having a hard time. It's coming together for them, and it's just going to take some time," said Brown. "But they've got the support of the fire service behind them."
To help with support, volunteers from neighboring departments have stepped to take over shift in Justice so other volunteers have the time they need to mourn.
"We want to be there for them. We want to be there for the fire department and that's just what we do. As a whole, that's what the fire service is. We stick together as brothers," said Brown.
Gupton's funeral took place Sunday at Duke Memorial Baptist Church in Spring Hope.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to:
The John Gupton Memorial Fund
c/o Justice Rural Volunteer Fire Department
4113 NC 581
Spring Hope, NC 27882
