Fallen fighter honored with street sign

Dozens turned out Tuesday for a special dedication to a firefighter killed in 2003. His tragic death stunned the Mid-South and reminded all of us of the risks firefighters face on a daily basis.

Lieutenant Trent Kirk died back in June of 2003 fighting a fire at the Family Dollar Store on Watkins.

That blaze which turned out to be an arson also killed firefighter Charles Zachary.

Lt. Trent Kirk worked out of Station 10 on the corner of West Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue. Family, friends and co-workers were there as a section of Pennsylvania Avenue was dedicated in Kirk's honor.

As Lt. Trent Kirk's widow and daughters unveiled the new street sign with his name on it, firefighters reflected back on the day Kirk risked his life to go into a burning Family Dollar Store and got trapped inside.

"Oh yes, he loved his job more than anything in the world. He loved being a firefighter," says Brent Kirk, Trent's twin brother.

Lt. Kirk's twin brother was joined by his mother. Family members described it as a fitting tribute to a man who lost his life trying to protect others.

"I'm glad that Trent was honored in this way. I think he deserves something like this. He would not think he deserves it but he does. He paid the ultimate price," adds Brent.

Family members hope the street sign will become an inspiration to the community and a permanent reminder of the courage it takes to fight a fire.

Brent adds, "Yeah it really is and I think its going to help a lot of the other firefighters that come along that work at this station. They'll see the sign and they will hear the stories about Trent and you know it will be a real inspiration to them to know that the firefighters the Fire Department appreciates what they do," says Battalion Chief Larry Anthony with Memphis Fire Department.

Lt. Kirk worked out of Fire Station Number 10 in south Memphis.  Charles Zachary the other firefighter who died, worked out of Station 31 on Overton Crossing.

Plans are underway to dedicate the street in front of Zachary's Station 31 at a later date.

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