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Community remembers fallen Newton firefighter Capt. Bradley Long

MAIDEN, N.C. — Over 800 people gathered Saturday for the funeral service of Capt. Bradley Long, a man who gave his life doing the work that he loved -- serving others.

Long, a firefighter with Newton and Sherrills Ford-Terrell fire departments, died June 6 while searching for a swimmer on Lake Norman.

Officials expected Mountain View Baptist Church to fill up quickly for the 11 a.m. service as firefighters from 85 departments from across the Carolinas planned to attend.

As we prepare to celebrate the life of Captain Bradley Long and lay him to rest, we think of all that has happened this...

Posted by Catawba County Emergency Services on Saturday, June 11, 2016

“There’s been an overwhelming outpouring of support, and that has meant a lot to the firefighters who have worked with Captain Long. We’ve had food, we've had donations. It’s been a sad time for the Sherrills Ford Fire department, but the support has definitely helped ease that,” Alex Frick, Newton public information officer, said.

A private service for loved ones was held in the cemetery after the public funeral service.

The procession held for Long on Friday stretched more than a mile down Northwest Boulevard in Newton.

Channel 9 could see the casket, draped by an American flag, on the top of a Newton fire truck.

His firefighter uniform and helmet sat on the dashboard.

In the crowd nearby were people like Sheila Johnson, a caregiver for a child with autism who Long tried to help.

"Bradley was good enough to give him one of those plastic fire hats one time. He was really good and he would come see us and speak to Kyle," Johnson said.

One couple remembered when Long, their lifelong friend, responded to their house to help their adult son who was having a seizure.

"He said he'd do anything he could, just let him know. If we needed him back out there in five minutes he'd be back out there in five minutes," friend Lorraine Fenner said.

"I heard there was a diver lost and didn't know it was Bradley until they said it, and when they said his name, I said, 'No way, can't be,'" friend Gary Fenner said.

Along the procession route, Channel 9 could see people saluting Long's fellow firefighters.

On Monday, Long was diving in Lake Norman trying to recover the body of a missing swimmer when something went wrong underwater.

The news shook much of Catawba County, where Long worked full time in Newton and volunteered in Sherrills Ford. The departments' ladder trucks raised the American flag at the church for Long.

"Great guy. He's going to be missed. He touched everybody in the community's heart, everybody," Lorraine Fenner said.

There were some emotional moments during the procession, including one near Long's firehouse.

"A servant's heart and he definitely had it," Deputy Chief Shane Lacount, of Mooresville, said. "He was compassionate about the fire service. Just a humble man."

Lacount was on the boat when Long and two other divers went into Lake Norman.

Ceremonial procession for fallen Newton firefighter Capt. Bradley Long from Chopper 9 http://on.wsoctv.com/1Yf9u97

Posted by WSOC-TV on Friday, June 10, 2016

Lacount said the outpouring of support from the community since Long's death has helped firefighters like himself.

"Actually serves as a healing and coping mechanism as well, for all involved," he said.

Fire stations from across the state have stepped in to help firefighters with Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire Department as they grieve.

On Thursday, the Pineville Volunteer Fire Department sent Truck No. 73 to answer emergency calls.

Truck 73 was dedicated to firefighter Richard Sheltra, who recently died battling a fire. It will be there through the weekend.

It could be months or even years before officials say what happened during the diving accident that claimed Long's life.

Emergency workers said they were following a strict protocol while they looked for a swimmer's body.

Long and two other divers were 35 to 75 feet deep.

Three other divers were in a boat above covering them, but about an hour after going in, a call went out for help and Long drowned.

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