The casket of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and FDNY Firefighter Christopher Slutman, center, arrives for his funeral service at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Friday April 26, 2019, in New York. The father of three died April 8 near Bagram Airfield U.S military base in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Mayor Bill de Blasio says a decorated New York City firefighter killed while serving as a Marine in Afghanistan "represented the very best of us."
The funeral for Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman was held Friday.
Thousands of firefighters and other responders saluted along Manhattan's Fifth Avenue as his flag-drag casket arrived at a Manhattan church atop a fire engine caisson.
The father of three died April 8 near Bagram Airfield U.S military base. Two other members of Slutman's Massachusetts-based Marine Reserve unit also were killed.
The native of Newark, Delaware, also had served as a firefighter in Maryland.
Delaware Gov. John Carney told mourners that the sound of a siren is a reminder to appreciate others' sacrifices.
The casket of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and FDNY Firefighter Christopher Slutman, center, arrives for his funeral service at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Friday April 26, 2019, in New York. The father of three died April 8 near Bagram Airfield U.S military base in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
The Associated Press
FILE - This undated, file photo provided on April 9, 2019, by the Fire Department of New York shows firefighter Christopher Slutman. The 15-year member of the Fire Department was among three American service members killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Monday, April 8. (Fire Department of New York via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This undated, file photo provided on April 9, 2019, by the Fire Department of New York shows firefighter Christopher Slutman. The 15-year member of the Fire Department was among three American service members killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Monday, April 8. (Fire Department of New York via AP, File)
The Associated Press