Trees, Poles Along Funeral Route for Beloved Chicago Fire Captain Adorned with Red Ribbons

    April 28, 2025
    Volunteers tied ribbons along the three-mile route to honor Chicago Capt. David Meyer, killed at a garage fire.

    Red ribbons adorn all trees and poles along a route a funeral procession that mourners of a beloved Chicago fire captain will take.

    More than 50 people joined the effort to create the three-mile tribute to honor Capt. David Meyer, who was killed at a garage fire last week. 

    “We’re both from firefighter families and what their family is going through, we want to be there to support them because that’s what we do. I knew Dave for over 20 years. I knew his family. This was the nicest person you’d ever meet. I never saw a couple more in love than he and his wife were,” ,” Meyer’s friend Maureen Stanton told WGN. 

    Chicago Alderman Jim Gardiner, who helped tie ribbons, said he met Meyer while working as a Chicago firefighter on the West Side.

    “He was at a different firehouse at a different shift, but we would see each other in passing. He was always very cordial, very welcoming and a hardworking man,” Gardiner said.

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

    Email