JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A heartwarming procession honoring the life of fallen JFRD firefighter and engineer, Michael Freeland.
His family remembers him as a role model and hero.
WATCH: Procession for fallen Jacksonville firefighter Michael Freeland
“This loss is a loss that our family, we will probably never get over it,” Freeland’s great-uncle, Kenneth Yates, said. “We know we live through it.”
The 36-year-old died in the line of duty early Thursday morning. JFRD said he collapsed after stepping out the back of a U-Haul that crashed into a light pole nearly a mile away from Station 73, where he worked.
Freeland was trying to save the driver on the inside.
“It speaks to his character and willingness to serve, his willingness to help,” Yates said.
Th family provided photos to Action News Jax.
Yates says Freeland was born and raised in Duval, engaged to his fiancee and always worked multiple jobs.
His aunt, Hazel Yates-Campbell, said they were beyond proud of the man he grew up to be.
“He is the kind of young man that every parent would want to have or raise,” she said.
Yates said Freeland always wanted to help people but became a firefighter and engineer to follow the footsteps of his uncle George Freeland IV, who had worked with JFRD for over 20 years.
“He looked up to him. To me they had a relationship like brothers,” Yates said. “Everything that Pop wanted to do, Mike wanted to do.”
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George Freeland IV died in December 2019 after he retired; two Freelands left a legacy with JFRD and the community that will never be forgotten.
“When Pop went into the fire department, Mike had his eye on the fire department,” Yates said.
While the loss hurts more than ever, the family says the memories will last a lifetime.
“My brother said last night, ‘When you give your life to save someone else’s life, that’s your ticket into heaven,’” Yates said. “So, we know where Mike is today.”
Freeland was a firefighter for over seven years, an engineer for over two. His specific cause of death is still unknown, and the department is waiting on the medical examiner’s office. JFRD said the driver involved in the crash appears to be OK.