Remembering one year later
Weirton pays tribute to late veteran firefighter Lieutenant Brian Ritchie
WEIRTON -- One year after his death, family, friends, coworkers and more gathered in Weirton, Wednesday, to once again remember the life of Brian Ritchie.
Ritchie, a lieutenant in the Weirton Fire Department with 13 years of service in the city and 29 years with the Hooverson Heights Volunteer Fire Department, where he was assistant chief, died Feb. 2, 2021, following a six-week battle with COVID-19, which he contracted while on duty.
"It's been a year since we were here," Weirton Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick said in opening the service held in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center, but noting it was not a time for grief. "This is going to be a celebration of life for Brian."
The celebration included a proclamation by Mayor Harold "Bubba" Miller naming Feb. 2 as Firefighter Lt. Brian H. Ritchie Day in the city, which was presented to Ritchie's long-time partner, Sierra Dunlevy, and his son, Caleb Ritchie, along with an announcement by Himmelrick that the Weirton Fire Department would be retiring its Unit No. 9, which had been assigned to Ritchie.
"He was a funny guy; a smart guy. He loved what he did," Miller said, getting emotional at one point in his comments. "He was courageous. He was knowledgeable and he was a good man."
Lt. Mikel Serafine is among those who had served alongside Ritchie in the Weirton Fire Department, but the two also had been friends for close to 30 years. He referenced half a dozen nicknames by which Ritchie was known.
"He had many names, but that's because he touched so many people," he said.
Serafine recalled Ritchie's habit of talking to everyone, asking questions or checking in on the latest news and gossip, picking up new skills and knowledge along the way.
"He was always wanting to learn more and more," Serafine said, noting he would then pass on those lessons to his fellow firefighters.
City Manager Mike Adams admitted not knowing Ritchie well, but said he knew the kind of man he was through his service to others.
Ritchie was born June 26, 1970 in Steubenville. A 1988 graduate of Steubenville High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.
His career in the fire service was inspired by his family, some of whom served with the Steubenville Fire Department, and, at the age of 14, he joined the Brilliant Volunteer Fire Department.
A candlelight vigil held the day after his death saw firefighters from throughout the Ohio Valley gather in the parking lot of Municipal Plaza, with hundreds coming to the city Feb. 10, 2021 to pay their final respects during public memorial services also held at the Millsop Community Center.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)