Capt. David Rosa Remembered By Firefighters, Family And Friends

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — A lone bell tolled, bagpipes played as firefighters from around the nation paid tribute to their fallen brother Tuesday in Long Beach. Thousands attended the solemn, thought-provoking and heart-wrenching memorial service of Long Beach Fire Department Captain Dave Rosa, 45, fatally shot June 25 while responding to a call at Covenant Manor, an 11-story building in downtown Long Beach.

A fire truck bearing the flag-draped coffin slowly drove up to the facility past a gauntlet of uniformed firefighters who saluted as it passed them by. The casket was then escorted by pallbearers into the building, led by a color guard carrying flags. At no time since Rosa was shot and killed was his body left unguarded by his brothers, fellow firefighters, as honor guard, in the tradition that "no man is left behind," according to an Orange County Fire Authority chaplain.

“People can remember when a firefighter was shot during the LA Riots,” OCFA Chaplain Jeff Hetschel of OCFA’S Battalion 10 said. “But no one can remember an incident of a firefighter showing up to do his job and being shot and killed. It’s unheard of.”

For firefighters, one of their family members has died, Hetschel told Patch. The ceremony in Long Beach was marked by family statements, explanations of his heart and his faith, as well as patriotic and symbolic rituals steeped in hundreds of years of firefighting tradition that began on the East Coast.

"We are comforted that David has met Jesus face to face, and we know we will see him again," his brother in law stated during the memorial service, that began at 10 a.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center. "Thank you for joining us to honor our fallen hero," he said. "We pray that God will use this tragedy for His redemptive purposes. David was a good man."

The ceremony included what firefighters refer to as "the final call," the ringing of the fire bell, use of bagpipes, and a flyover in the missing man formation, which is an aerial salute performed by aircraft in honor of the fallen.

Firefighter Ernesto Torres, 35, and a civilian who lived in the building also were wounded, but survived.

The Long Beach Fire Department announced that a fund that was set up for Rosa's family. Information about the fund is available at www.friendsoflbfire.org/police-fire-memorial. Rosa is survived by his wife Lynley, his two sons, Alec, 26, and Sam, 15, his parents, Paul and Jean Rosa, and his sister, Julia Hensley.

The suspect -- Thomas Man Kim, 77, a resident of the building -- was arrested that morning, and has been charged with murder and other counts. Kim allegedly set off an explosive device in his apartment in an effort to kill a female neighbor who lived above him and with whom he had been feuding, according to prosecutors.

Rosa was a 17-year veteran of the Long Beach Fire Department. His last assignment was at Fire Station 10 in central Long Beach. Before that, he served as a training captain.

"Capt. David Rosa was a well-respected fire officer," the LBFD said in a statement. "He served as a mentor for many young adults, paramedics, and firefighters. He was dedicated to his faith, his family, and to his profession. Capt. Rosa's tragic death has left us deeply grieved and saddened. This loss is profound and has been felt by all members of his fire family and the community he served with dedication and distinction. Our hearts, prayers, and condolences go out to his family and friends."

Related:

Slain Fire Captain Honored At San Juan Capistrano All-Stars Game

Fundraiser Underway To Help Family Of Slain Long Beach Fire Capt.

Senior Charged With Capital Murder In Ambush Of Fire Captain

City News Service & Patch contributor Amy Spurgeon-Hoffman contributed to this report.