Some members of the Liberty Fire Department did not know Ofc. William “Will” McGary but they stood at attention along state Highway 64, Wednesday, to honor his memory as well as honor the Conway Police Department making their way to the fallen officer’s funeral.
“He is one of our brothers in the big brotherhood,” said Fire Chief Suzonne Hopkins, standing along with the 10 or so others in fire department dress uniforms. “I may have not known him personally but I knew him — my family knew him. Those who work in EMS, fire departments, police, we are all one brotherhood. This could have been any one of us.”
Some fellow firefighters on Liberty Department are also employed at the Conway Police Department, she added. When one in the “brotherhood” is ill or loses their life, Hopkins said, the extended family hurts.
Standing alongside the firefighters were also a few residents as well as some fellow firefighters from other departments including Steve Ferguson, a firefighter at Greenbrier. Ferguson was on his way to the funeral. When he saw the flashing lights and firefighters standing at attention, he said, he felt compelled to pull over and join them.