In Memory of my Brother Patrick

Who Died in the Line of Duty

February 12, 1998

May God Watch Over His Soul

Patrick J. King

Badge # 1407

Born Into Time: February 24, 1957

Born Into Eternity: February 12, 1998

My Brother, My Shadow

The thoughts of growing up in Chicago, in the Brighton Park neighborhood with my two brothers Johnny and Patrick are very special to me. As kids, the three of us were always up to something. Since Patrick was the smallest and youngest, he always seemed to hang around me and my friends a lot. I think both Johnny and I tolerated always having to drag our little brother with us while we played softball, or some other sport, went to the movies or did something else. One of my fondest memories of Patrick as a boy, will always be of him as the little kid who could never hit the ball anywhere else but right down the 3rd baseline. My friends and I , we would take him off to the side and try to teach him how to "spot hit". He would listen attentively, and say "OK guys, I think I got it", and then proceed to promptly hit the next pitch as a line drive right back down the 3rd base line. It was so funny to see. Any team we would play against had to shift their entire infield over whenever Patrick came up to bat. We spent a lot of time at a local park (just accross the street from our house) called Davis playground as kids. During the summer months after all our chores around the house were done, you could find the three of us outside playing some sort of sports game depending on the weather.

No matter what the game was, I would always seem to have my shadow hanging nearby. Heck in those days even in the the winter months, there always seemed to be something going on in the park's Field House. The Park Instructors at the time Mr. E, and Teach always seemed to have something up their sleeves that kept us kids busy. We would Wrestle in the winter, or play in Chess or Checker tournaments, or do arts and crafts. As I got older, and graduated from High School, I went into the Marine's. My Shadow kept me informed of what was going on at home. I would get letters telling me who was doing what and where, how things were going with everyone. I really missed him during my service time. When I left the Marines and came back home, I decided to make being a Paramedic my career choice. Again, my Shadow was right there. We went through Paramedic School at Loyola Medical Center together, we studied together, we tested together and we graduated together. After our paramedic training, I told him I wanted to go onto the Fire Department, my shadow followed me there too. We both entered the Chicago Fire Academy together, our badge numbers were only 2 numbers off, and our file numbers only 1 number different. After we graduated from the academy, we both went to different firehouses, different shifts and different rigs, but we made a pact to always be there for each other. There was a time when we actually did get to work side by side. During the big blizzard of "1979", the city had to call in additional manpower, and for about 48 hours my shadow wound up teamed up with me. I think we would have made a great team if the department ever decided to team us up on a permanent basis.

When I had a Heart Attack while on-duty, my Shadow was right there for me. Just about everyday he visited me at the hospital, and when my doctors finally told me that I had to leave the Department that him and I both loved so much ... he was again the one who helped me through getting past that difficult time. Over the years, and with all my heart problems, along with my wife and kids, it was my Shadow who also watched over me. He would go with me on those many doctor visits and medical tests. He would stop by the house after a shift and fill me in on what was going on in the Department, and if he was working and was in the neighborhood. He would stop by with the rig and visit, even if it was only for a few minutes.

That night in February, when Father Mulcrone (The Chicago Fire Department chaplain) came to the house to tell me that Patrick was trapped inside the rubble at an extra alarm fire I will always remember. Just as I will always remember the looks on the faces of firefighters and paramedics that we both knew and worked with, as I entered the hospital emergency room. I had seen that look before, I've seen it in Patricks face before, I've seen it in my face before, and I've seen it in countless other firefighters and paramedics faces at countless calls in the past. I knew then that my Shadow had been to his last alarm.

I will always remember my Shadow as being someone who was always there for me, at any time I needed him. I loved him so much, and I will miss him deeply. He will forever have a spot in my heart, and in my memories for the rest of my life.

Bob "Greywolf" King

"THE BEAST"

Deep in the shadows, alone in the cold,
The nightmare begins, the horror unfolds.

Born out of darkness, by the master of death,
It crawls through the night, devouring with it's breath.

It feeds upon ignorance, and thrives off of fear,
It slows down for none, and stops for no tears.

It feels not for the poor, cares not for the old,
It loves not even children, and fears not the bold.

It backs down from none, and fights all who dare,
To test out it's might, and make a new lair.

If not for those few, who fear not THE BEAST,
It would conquer the world, with all as it feasts.

These few face the dragons, that ravish our land,
Armed not with swords, but courage and hands.

These are the heroes, that arrive in the night,
Upon great big chariots, adorned with bright lights.

They rescue the prisoners, held in the grasp,
Of the ruler of Hell, the devil in mask.

When the dragon is dead, and all is well again,
They remount their chariots, simply as men.

They ride off in the night, as swift as they came,
To battle yet another, BEAST OF THE FLAME !

From an Author Unknown

"Gone But Not Forgotten"

Brother when you weep for me
Remember that it was meant to be
Lay me down and when you leave
Remember I'll be at your sleeve
In every dark and choking hall
I'll be there as you slowly crawl
On every roof in driving snow
I'll hold your coat and you will know
In cellars hot with searing heat
At windows where a gate you meet
In closets where young children hide
You know I'll be there at your side
The house from which I now respond
Is overstaffed with heroes gone
Men who answered one last bell
Did the job and did it well
As firemen we understand
That death's a card dealt in our hand
A card we hope we never play
But one we hold there anyway
That card is something we ignore
As we crawl across a weakened floor
For we know that we're the only prayer
For anyone that might be there
So remember as you wipe your tears
The joy I knew throughout the years
As I did the job I loved to do
I pray that thought will see you through.

From an Author Unknown

"I Am The Piper"

I stand at attention beside your grave,
Understanding the supreme effort you gave.