Remembrance and procession to be held for longtime Dearborn Fire Captain Jeremy Watkins
Published March 4, 2025
A remembrance for Dearborn Fire Captain Jeremy Watkins will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.
Watkins passed away at the age of 49. Watkins served Dearborn as a firefighter for 22 years before medically retiring in 2024 with an occupation-related diagnosis of cancer.
A short memorial service with City and Union officials paying tribute to Watkins will commence at 6 p.m. on Thursday at The Center.
On Friday, March 7, firefighters and emergency responders will escort the Watkins family to St. Hedwig Cemetery, 23755 Military Rd, with a full Fire Department and military honors processional.
Prayer and honors services will be held at the cemetery at 11 a.m.
Watkins began his service with the Dearborn Fire Department in March 2002. He progressed through the ranks of Firefighter 2, Engineer, Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain in 2020.
Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud stated, “We are deeply saddened by this great loss to the Dearborn Fire Department and our community. Captain Watkins' service to this City is immeasurable and we invite those that would like to pay respects to join us at this remembrance and procession.”
Fire Department funeral procession
All fire department apparatus and emergency vehicles participating in the procession should meet at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m. At 10:40 a.m., all emergency vehicles will depart The Center. The fire department procession will travel northbound on Greenfield Rd. The procession will continue westbound Michigan Ave to Outer Dr, turning north. The caravan will pass Dearborn Fire Station 2 on Outer Dr, continuing to westbound Ford Rd, ending at St. Hedwig cemetery in Dearborn Heights.
Fire Chief Joseph Murray stated, “Jeremy was a proud Dearborn resident and believed it was an honor to serve his hometown. Throughout his more than 20-year career, he responded to numerous emergencies, and positively impacted the lives of thousands of individuals, often on the worst day of their lives.”
Chief Murray added, “Jeremy took on cancer with the same bravery and courage he showed at the many fires he fought over the years.”
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Captain Watkins’ memory to the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive, Neighbors United Walk for the Red, or the Henry Ford Health/Detroit Lions Game on Cancer.
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