PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) — A local hero was brought home Saturday afternoon to be laid to rest.

Hundreds of people lined Red Arrow Highway in Paw Paw to show gratitude towards 28-year-old Marine and Paw Paw firefighter Lt. Ethan Quillen.

“We’re so fortunate to have the departments and the young men that we have, and I know today I wasn’t the only one standing there with a tear in my eye when the procession went by,” said Mary Hartwell, Paw Paw resident

Quillen died during Wednesday’s ice storm when a power line fell on him in Almena Township.

As first responders and community members paid their respects, some say it’s a stark reminder of the danger those in service face.

“I don’t think a lot of people think about that, they just think it’s a bunch of guys riding fire trucks with sirens running, it’s exciting,” Hartwell said. “Then something like this happens and the reality comes back to you.”

Community members also honored Quillen for serving as a volunteer at the time of his death.

“Not getting money, how often times is somebody going to do that for you? A lot of times we focus things around what I can get out of this, instead of what can I give,” said David Hagan, Van Buren County resident. “There are people who are serving, giving up quite a bit for what other people take for granted to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”

According to Quillen’s obituary, visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Paw Paw High School, following by funeral services at 12:30 p.m. Quillen will be buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan.

Hartwell said seeing the outpouring of support during the procession said a lot about what people of service mean to the area.

“I saw people and fire trucks and things from Kalamazoo even, and state police. I think it shows a lot of respect for the agencies that protect us,” Hartwell said.