Fallen firefighter's death leaves lasting impact on local community
Carley BonkAssistant Chief Walter Wagaman wasn't just a firefighter. He played many roles.
"Walt has gained a lot of titles in his time with us," Buchanan Valley Fire Department President Timothy Baldwin said. "He started out originally as a son, then he grew up to be a father, a brother, an uncle — and with us he became assistant fire chief."
"He earned a lot of titles, but he gave the ultimate sacrifice to gain the title of hero," Baldwin said.
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The viewing, funeral service and procession for Wagaman was held Sunday afternoon at Gettysburg Area High School.
A line of first responders stretched far across the lawn in front of the auditorium before the doors opened. Nearly 1,500 mourners came to pay their respects.
Baldwin said Walt was a fun-loving guy who loved kids, helping his department and cooking chicken at fundraisers.
"Little kids would come into the firehouse for chicken, and he would give them the exact piece they wanted," he said. "That's why we bought him a chicken hat. He would wear that hat, singing and dancing around."
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"It's a tough day, I'm not only laying to rest our assistant fire chief, but laying to rest a friend," Baldwin said. "The jokes never stopped in the kitchen. Walt was my right-hand man."
Having support in the department and from the greater firefighting community is helping those who knew Wagaman deal with such a devastating loss.
"The firemen as whole always had this saying of 'we must continue on,'" Baldwin said. "In the Valley, we're sticking together."
Those who were closest to him remember Wagaman as humble and selfless in his life and his death.
"Being an organ donor was a very important thing for him; even in his passing he was helping others," Baldwin said. "He was always a selfless person, very humble — and in his final minutes, he donated his organs so others could have life."
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He was in many ways a person who encouraged others to get involved, a man whose identity as a firefighter was very much woven into who he was as a person. "Not only are we losing an amazing guy, but somebody who kept everyone involved in the department," Baldwin said. "If there was a fire siren, Walt was the first one at the firehouse to make sure that fire truck got out — and he did it because he loved people."
Dustin Ulrich, EMS chief of Chambersburg Fire Department, is also feeling lost after the death of his friend.
"Overall, he was a great guy, always smiling," he said. "On scene, you could always rely on him."
Now in his absence, they must depend on each other.
"In the services we are in, everyone relies on each other," Ulrich said. "As you can see by the support that's here today, no matter what time it is, night or day, all it takes is a phone call and we're going to be there for each other. We all pull together in times like this."
Baldwin and Fire Chief Michael Spielman both spoke during the service.
"Right now, I'm sure he's grinning ear to ear watching this," Spielman said. "He was always the first one there and the last out the door."
Wagaman was recently honored with the award of another title: Member of the Year.
"He broke down crying," Spielman said. "He made sure to come to me after to say 'I'm not here to win awards, I'm here to help the community. But I really appreciate it.'"
As his Station 27 brothers and sisters carried his casket to the Buchanan Valley fire truck, bagpipes and drums sounded and the sun shined down on mourners.
A Life Lion medical helicopter flew by and tipped its nose in a last nod toward Wagaman and his devoted service to the first responder community.
Over 150 apparatus participated in the procession that followed, as well as a significant number of private vehicles that brought Wagaman back home to Buchanan Valley for the first time since the accident that ultimately claimed his life.
Departments traveled from as far as Lancaster County and Harrisburg to show support for their fallen brother in service.
Wagaman is survived by his wife of 13 years, Vickie Wagaman of Orrtanna. He is also survived by daughter, Dezerea Whistler and son Austin Wagaman, according to an obituary released by Dugan Funeral Homes.