Reported By: Jay Cashmere
July 25, 2006
He was an avid diver and an inspiration for dozens within Delray Beach Fire Rescue.
Now he's being remembered by dozens of Delray Beach firefighters 80 feet beneath the surface.
Peter Firehock, a Delray Beach firefighter, was struck and killed by a hit and run driver.
The firefighters now have a place all to their own that captures the true definition of their colleague.
A mile and a half southeast of Palm Beach inlet at 80 feet lies a special place for Delray Beach Fire Rescue.
"It's a fitting tribute for a guy who did so much for our department."
For nearly a year the Peter Firehock memorial has rested beneath the surface honoring a 23 year veteran of the department who was tragically killed in december 2001.
"This is something we worked hard on for a number of years to have this fitting memorial for Pete under the water."
In 1988 Firehock, an avid diver, started the Delray Beach Fire Rescue dive team. Today 39 men and women comprise this special search and recovery unit remembering their colleague and each time they enter the water.
Most wear a bracelet for their friend who set the benchmark for proficiency within the department.
"The memorial is pretty much covered up."
"It was absolutely gorgeous down there."
"He's truly missed around here for sure."
The 6000 pound environmentally designed monument donated by stone grove memorials was dropped in september of 2005 carving out the memory of a friend and a hero.
"The memorial is really cool, it's got a lot of marine life on it or grown with coral and living parts of the sea."
For many in this group it's their first time to the site and best of all it won't be their last. Many more trips will venture to this special place with a piece of Delray Beach at heart.
"He inspired us, he was a mentor for many of us. Everybody here on the dive today knew Peter personally and were close friends with him."
"Pete would be really proud of what we've done here today."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dive Boat Narcosis
Riviera Beach Marina Slip #521
200 East 13th Street
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Phone: (866) 627-2674 or (561) 630-0606
Email: CaptRayScuba@aol.com
