In a somber tribute to a fallen hero, the streets of Catawba County will witness a solemn procession as the community comes together to honor Firefighter Jake Bridges. Bridges, who served valiantly as a member of the Hickory firefighting team, will be escorted from Winston-Salem to his final resting place in Catawba County today. The outpouring of respect for the late firefighter is expected to be heartfelt and pervasive, with a number of emergency personnel participating in the event.
The City of Hickory’s official announcement states the procession is slated to leave Winston-Salem at roughly 12:15 p.m. and progress westward along Interstate 40. Various fire departments and emergency services from across Catawba County will stand in honor at strategic points along the route, testament to the tight-knit spirit of those who serve and protect our communities.
Emergency responders from Claremont FD, Catawba Fire & Catawba Rescue, Oxford FD & Claremont Rescue, Bandys FD & Maiden Rescue among others will be stationed at notable junctions across the county. This includes locations from I-40 at Oxford School Rd, all the way to the vicinity of Bennett Funeral Service in Newton where Bridges’ body will eventually be conveyed. The presence of these responders serves as a silent salute to the service and sacrifice embodied by Bridges during his tenure…