Pigeon Forge firefighters mourn loss of one of their own after crash

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Pigeon Forge Fire Department is mourning one of their own after 19-year-old Aaron Huss died in an off-duty motorcycle crash last week.

Pigeon Forge Fire Department Chief Tony Watson said Huss made an unforgettable impact during the year was with the department.

“Even though his time with us was short, he made an impact and we’ll never be able to replace him. But we’re going to do everything we can to honor him here,” Watson said.

“He would leave his shift and go home and he would pray about the victims he’s dealt with, that just tells you about his character and his care right there,” Watson said. “He had such a bright future, but the good Lord had a different plan for us. And, you know, we’re just trying to honor him, his family, and we’re trying to get our department back to operational status.”

Watson said week following Huss’s death has been difficult for him and his department but neighboring first responders have supported them through it.

“We’ve been through every emotion known to man and this week, and so it’s been a hard week,” Watson said. “But that’s where we count on our brothers and sisters to support us and get us back in the right fashion.”

In a procession to Huss’s final resting place, emergency vehicles from across the area came out to honor his life and service to his community.

“In my history as fire chief, it’s the first time the Pigeon Forge Fire and Rescue has been completely out of service,” said Watson. “But City of Sevierville, the City of Gatlinburg, and Sevier County and other volunteer agencies are covering our district so we can mourn our loss of our great firefighter.”

He said with the time they have had to mourn; they have also been able to support Huss’s family. He said they have been involved in working on some sort of memorial for Huss.

“It’s not about us. It’s about him and it’s about that family.  So, we’ve kept that in the front of our minds,” said Watson. “I can’t say enough, there is departments here all-over East Tennessee, that are supporting us today. The honor guard from Johnson City, Greenville, Alcoa, Maryville, Sevier Fire Department all down there so that we can mourn the loss of a great young man.”

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