STORMS. HUNKER DOWN. IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY ACTIVE THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. SHELLY: A TIGHT-KNIT NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COMES THEIR MEN IN UNIFORM. JEFF STROBL, A FAMILY MAN AND ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY IS HOW MANY DOUG: REPORTER SHELLYE LEGGETT WAS IN ROSWELL DURING THE SERVICE. ROSWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID GOOD-BYE TO A FRIEND AND BROTHER. 46-YEAR-OLD JEFF STROBLE. [ BAG PILE PLAYING] >> IN TOWN IS A TOWN THAT EMBRACES THOSE WHO WEAR THE BADGE. REPORTER: IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY IN THE ROSWELL CONVENTION CENTER. FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FIREFIGHTERS FROM ALL OVER NEW MEXICO HONORING HIS LIFE AND LEGACY. >> THIS IMPACTS THE COMMUNITY. I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HOW THE COMMUNITY HAS REPORTER: SINCE THE FIREWORKS EXPLOSION ON JUNE 5, THE ROSWELL COMMUNITY HAS COME TOGETHER, FUNDRAISING, DONATING TIME AND ENERGY THAT -- AND THAT SUPPORT HASN'T STOPPED. >> WHEN JEFF'S BODY WAS BROUGHT BACK, FLEW IN FROM LUBBOCK AND THEN THAT TOOK HIM UP TO THE FUNERAL HOME, THERE WERE PEOPLE LINED UP OUT THERE TO WATCH AND THEY WERE LINED UP IN A RAINSTORM. >> AND NEITHER -- WERE THE RECOVERY AND HEALING PROCEEDINGS. STROBAL WAS A FIRE APPARATUS OPERATOR WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR
Roswell community comes together for one of their fallen men in uniform
Roswell Fire Department; says goodbye to someone they called not only friend but brother
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Updated: 10:02 PM MDT Jul 26, 2019
A tight-knit New Mexico community came together Friday for one of their fallen men in uniform. They honored the life of 46-year-old Jeff Stroble. The Roswell Fire Department said goodbye to someone they called not only a friend, but a brother."This town is a town that embraces those who wear the badge," said Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh.There was only standing room left in the Roswell Convention Center during Stroble's funeral service. Family, friends, community members and firefighters from all over New Mexico honored his life and legacy."This impacts the community, and I am incredibly proud of how the community has responded," Kintigh said.Since a fireworks explosion June 5, the Roswell community has come together, fundraising and donating time and energy, and that support has not stopped. Stroble was one of two Roswell firefighters critically hurt in that explosion when 12 firefighters were setting up the Roswell fireworks display for the Fourth of July.Stroble was flown to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he fought to recover, but died on July 21."When Jeff's body was brought back, flew in from Lubbock and then the convoy, if you will, the procession that took him up to the funeral home, there were people lined up out there to watch, and they were lined up in a rainstorm," Kintigh said.He said the recovery and healing process won't stop, either.Stroble was a fire apparatus operator with the department for 17 years. He is survived by his mother, father, wife, three kids, and other family members. The complete service is posted on the KOAT Facebook page.
ROSWELL, N.M. — A tight-knit New Mexico community came together Friday for one of their fallen men in uniform. They honored the life of 46-year-old Jeff Stroble. The Roswell Fire Department said goodbye to someone they called not only a friend, but a brother.
"This town is a town that embraces those who wear the badge," said Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh.
There was only standing room left in the Roswell Convention Center during Stroble's funeral service. Family, friends, community members and firefighters from all over New Mexico honored his life and legacy.
"This impacts the community, and I am incredibly proud of how the community has responded," Kintigh said.
Since a fireworks explosion June 5, the Roswell community has come together, fundraising and donating time and energy, and that support has not stopped. Stroble was one of two Roswell firefighters critically hurt in that explosion when 12 firefighters were setting up the Roswell fireworks display for the Fourth of July.
Stroble was flown to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he fought to recover, but died on July 21.
"When Jeff's body was brought back, flew in from Lubbock and then the convoy, if you will, the procession that took him up to the funeral home, there were people lined up out there to watch, and they were lined up in a rainstorm," Kintigh said.
He said the recovery and healing process won't stop, either.
Stroble was a fire apparatus operator with the department for 17 years. He is survived by his mother, father, wife, three kids, and other family members. The complete service is posted on the KOAT Facebook page.
