A solemn day as we pay tribute to the life of one of our absolute finest. Services were held today for Firefighter Juston Doherty who was also a Captain and Infantry/Ranger in the U.S. Army. In addition to serving 15 years as a Firefighter with the PFD, brother Doherty had a 19 year military career and served two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He died July 7th while on base during military maneuvers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
During his funeral today, he was promoted to Fire Captain posthumously by Phoenix Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner. His services consisted of numerous touching tributes by friends, family and colleagues who conquered the difficult task of putting who Juston was into words.
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The U.S. Army then conducted his interment ceremony at the National Cemetery in North Phoenix. During the ceremony he received the honor of a three-volley salute and his family was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal that was awarded posthumously. His family was also presented with ceremonial U.S. and Arizona flags by commanding officers.
You will seldom, if ever hear a Firefighter use the word “hero”. Sometimes people will use that term towards us and whereas appreciated, it is a title we usually reject as most times we are simply just doing the jobs we signed up for.
To us, Captain Doherty was a hero in every sense of the word. Not just because of the many times he selflessly put his life on the line in protection of our city and our country but because of his unparalleled, life-long commitment to help anyone under any circumstances and without question.
Captain Doherty was our hero and his passing will leave a void that will be difficult if not impossible to fill. We will continue on, each day with his spirit in our hearts and his memory on our minds. Rest in a well-deserved paradise sir, you have served your country and your city flawlessly.
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