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Retired Pineville fire truck to help Sherrills Ford after similar tragedy

By Liz Foster
By Liz Foster

Whether they knew him or not, firefighters from across the area are mourning the loss of Capt. Bradley Long.

Capt. John Dancoff was a friend of his. They worked together in the past at the Denver Fire Department.

Dancoff described Long as a hard worker, carefree and a good man.

"When I found out who it was, it was surreal. I was in disbelief," Dancoff said.

This is unfortunately the second line-of-duty death in our area in just a matter of weeks. The last was Pineville volunteer firefighter Richard Sheltra.

Read past coverage on Bradley Long:

"It's been a really bad six weeks," Huntersville firefighter Bill Suthard said. “It's in times like this when you really respect it and appreciate the fact that the brotherhood exists."

That brotherhood continues despite losing one of its own.

Channel 9 learned Tuesday that the Pineville fire truck dedicated to Sheltra will be in Sherrills Ford to help answer emergency calls later this week.

On Facebook, Sheltra's mom left a message for the Sherrills Ford-Terrell community that reads, "Stand strong, rely on your family, friends and church family."

Denver firefighters, and others from agencies across the area, are in Sherrills Ford and Terrell to answer emergency calls, so those who served alongside Long don't have to.

"It gives them the time to grieve. It gives them the time to make plans to honor Bradley's life," Dancoff said. The reason why departments do this for each other in a time of need, is an easy answer for firefighters. "Because they would do it for us," Dancoff told Channel 9.

Several fire agencies will continue to provide service at all four Sherrills Ford-Terrell fire stations for at least a week. In the meantime, loved ones will plan Long's funeral, that will have full firefighter honors.

Read more on our Richard Sheltra coverage:

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