Swobody to be honored at capitol building

Fallen firefighter John Swobody will be honored at an upcoming memorial service at the capitol building in Olympia.

Swobody passed away in the presence of family and friends on June 4, 2018 following a years-long battle with lung cancer. His death was a result of his profession, and marked the first line of duty death of a firefighter in north Whatcom County’s history.

The Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 2 at 1 p.m. at the Washington state capitol rotunda. Five first responders will be honored that day, including Swobody. The other four are Seattle Fire Department firefighter Marvin Larry, South County firefighter/paramedic Walter Burns, Spokane Valley fire captain Tim Cruger and East Olympia Fire District 6 battalion chief John Ostergard.

Prior to the service, their names will be printed on special ribbons. During a ride of honor, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters 7th district motorcycle club will escort the ribbons to Olympia, where they will transfer the ribbons to an honor guard. During the memorial service, the ribbons will be brought in on a fire truck and suspended from a pike pole, a firefighting tool.

In addition to the pike pole ceremony, the service will feature a 21-bell salute, as well as performances of the national anthem and Amazing Grace. Also, the state and national flags will be raised, there will be a procession of pipes and drums, a moment of silence will be observed and remarks will be delivered by public officials and chaplains.

The event is being organized by the Washington State Fire Fighters’ Association. In 1985, the organization established the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. A bronzed Maltese cross affixed to a granite cairn denotes the memorial, located at the state’s fire training academy in North Bend. Over the years, the association and other prominent state fire service organizations have joined together to recognize firefighters who have died giving service to their communities.

According to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR), Swobody began his fire service career in 1984 as a volunteer firefighter for district 13. From 1991 to 2001, he served on the Blaine Police Reserve and also volunteered for the city of Blaine at district 7. He was hired as a career firefighter at NWFR in 1999 and was later promoted to training chief in 2007. He ended his career as a shift firefighter at Station 61.

Swobody was survived by his wife, three children, six grandchildren and mother as well as several siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.