Town honors fan who died at ballpark

BROWNWOOD, Texas (KXAN) - More than 1,000 people quietly assembled on the streets as the funeral procession for Shannon Stone passed through the city on its way to the Brownwood First United Methodist Church.

Some held American flags, some saluted, and others just watched.

Stone, 39, a Brownwood firefigher, died after catching a baseball tossed by Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington last week. He toppled over the grandstand railing and fell 20 feet below.

His 6-year-old son, Cooper, watched his dad fall.

"It's like losing a member of your family, because this is a tight-knit community," said Brownwood resident Jan Chapman.

She was among those who turned out, along with countless of Stone's colleagues -- both from Brownwood and from nearby public safety agencies.

"He's a fireman you'd send your new guy to and say, 'Follow him, and he'll show you the right way.'" said Chief Richard Hensley of the Coleman Fire Department:

Added Philip Brown, a fellow Brownwood firefighter: "He's done rescue at Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike. He went to New York City."

Chief Greg Goettch, the fire chief in Abilene, said there's a special bond among all firefighters, regardless of where they work.

"Most firefighters spend a third of their lives with each other," he said. "You depend on that man standing next to you to make sure you go home to your family the next day.

"You know, everytime you see your wife, kiss her goodbye in the morning when you're going to work."

A little girl who watched the procession put it in more simple terms.

"There's a little boy out there that doesn't have a dad," she said.

Stone, an 18-year veteran of the Brownwood department, was honored in the manner of someone who died in the line of duty. A colleague carried his helmet while six others bore his flag-draped casket.

A bagpipe player led the way while Stone's widow, Jenny, held the hand of their little boy.

Carol Blackerby, a Brownwood Resident, was moved by the sight.

"It's just wonderful to see all the people around here that care and show their respect," she said.
Resident Jenifer Haby agreed. "It's people who fight for us and put their lives on the line," she said.

Chief Goettch summed it all up.

"There's going to be a real empty place in this fire department and in this community for quite sometime," he said.