Life of firefighter in Ohio honored with lowered flags

Editor’s Note: The video above is funeral coverage of fallen firefighter Johnny Tetrick.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) – The State of Ohio is honoring the life and service of a lifelong firefighter and paramedic.

Troy Bernhard died at the age of 49 on September 27 in Perrysburg, Ohio.

The Perrysburg Township Firefighter and Paramedic was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2021.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Monday that flags would be flown at half-staff in his honor at all public buildings and grounds in Wood County, the Ohio State House, the Vern Riffe Center and the Rhodes State Office Tower.

The flags will remain at half-staff until Bernhard’s funeral on October 5.

“He has truly won the battle because he now has seen the face of God!” his obituary reads . “Faced with his own mortality by his bladder cancer diagnosis, Troy lived life for others, especially for and with his beautiful family.”

It continued.

“Talented doctors, regimes, pharmaceutical cocktails, and countless prayers, and especially his loving family and friends made certain that this amazing man was never alone on this journey. Many people would have given up; however, Troy never ever surrendered. Troy is survived by his adoring wife, Rachel; his two young children: daughter, Samantha, and son, Joseph.”

Read the full tribute here .

Visitation will be held at the Monclova Road Baptist Church, 7819 Monclova Road, Monclova, Ohio, on Friday, October 4th from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. A firefighter Bell Service will start at 7:00 p.m. A full firefighter’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 5th at 10:30 a.m. at the Monclova Road Baptist Church. A funeral procession to the Roth Cemetery will follow.

The family requests that any contributions in Troy’s name be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Foundation is a tribute to Stephen Siller, a New York firefighter who was killed in the 9/11 terror attacks. Learn more here .

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