(From WEEK News 25) - It has been almost three decades since the Peoria Fire Department lost one of its own, but those years and that sacrifice have not been forgotten.
A ceremony held Monday at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria honoring fallen firefighter Vernon "Butch" Gudat who lost his life battling a fire on Main Street January 23rd, 1983.
Dozens of firefighters, friends, and family came out to today's service.
"It's just so heartfelt and warming to us, to Mike and I. We never imagined 29 years ago that we would be standing here year after year and people would be standing here year after year," said Butch's daughter Michele Gudat.
Gudat also says in memory of her father, a scholarship fund wasset up 5 years ago to help with education costs for children of Peoria firefighters.
