Mississippi’s Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial Wall Honors “Devoted Hero” (Video Included)

PEARL, Miss. – Under cloudy skies in Pearl Tuesday, a memorial for fallen firefighters was held at the Mississippi State Fire Academy.

Among those honored, East Central Volunteer firefighter Dwight Hilton, who died on the first day of February after stopping, on his day off, to help fight a grass fire.  “I was proud of him being a fireman,” said his wife Teresa Hilton as she fought back tears.  “I miss him a lot.” His daughter Heather O’Quinn added: “It’s hard, but this (memorial) helps.  I think he would be proud of what’s going on today.”

Hilton, 57, was remembered as being “devoted” and was called a “true hero” who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

His name marks the 91th Mississippi firefighter killed in the line of duty and whose name has been inscribed on the Mississippi Fallen Firefighters Memorial Wall.