Chris Wheately died in the line of duty at a Chicago Fire at Avec Restaurant on August 9th, 2010. Photo by Katie Ryan.
Brothers and Sisters,
Now that a few days have passed and we try to get back to our normal routines, the reality that Brother Chris Wheatley is gone has begun to painfully sink in. Even though we realize that we all must move forward, it is important to note that we will never forget the sacrifice that Chris, and his family, have made for the citizens of Chicago.
Many thanks go out to all the Local 2 members who braved challenging conditions, both emotional and physical, to attend his visitation and funeral. The Wheatley family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the generosity of Local 2 and our membership. They understand we are a family and they know that even those who were unable to attend Chris’ services were present in spirit.
We did what we always do; come through when one of our own is in need.
The proceedings of last week could not have happened without a collective and focused effort from many groups and individuals. Special thanks go out to the members of Engine 5, Truck 2 and Ambulance 28, Fr. Mulcrone, Fr. McNalis and St. John Fischer Parish, the Gold Badge Society, the IAFF and the AFFI, Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, the CFD Pipes and Drums, the Local 2 and CFD Honor Guard, the FOP Lodge 7 and the Chicago Police Department, the 5-11 Club, the representatives from Fire Deptartments from all over the US and Canada and the many elected officials who attended, the Lima-Lima Flight Team, 115 Bourbon St. and to anyone else I may have inadvertently forgotten to mention. They all made a very tough situation a little easier to manage.
You should be very proud of the incredible job all of you did in order to give Chris and his family the final tribute they deserved.
Fraternally,
Tom Ryan
President Local 2
I am sorry to hear about your loss. The way y’all put your life on the line everyday so that others can live and be safe is incredible. I have so much admiration for you. Thank you!
Sending lots of love and positive thoughts your way,
Stefanie
You all do an amazing, wonderful job – I hope that you can remember that even during these difficult times. I’m praying for you all in your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for staying brave through it all and serving your community so faithfully! You are very inspiring people!!
I am so sorry for your lost. I hope you find in you the strength to move on and to honor Chris by continuing to serve your community. Everyone is thankful for your work and I wanna take a moment to say THANK YOU myself. I will keep Chris, his family and all of you in my prayers.
Love,
Carol
everyday you all put your lives on the line so that families like mine can rest at night. thank you. we are so sorry for your loss.
blessings.
the fisks.
milwaukee.
Thank you always…you are appreciated and supported.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is sad when we loose someone but please know he is a hero to a great many people just as the rest of you are. Your tireless efforts to protect the city do not go unappreciated. I salute all of you. Thank you.
I live in Australia and read about the loss of your fellow firefighter. Please accept my respectful condolences for the loss of your colleague, and also condolences to his family and friends. Firefighters have my utmost respect, having seen the house next to me go up in flames. My heroes! Keep up the good work. Good thoughts to you all.
Heroes, thats what you are to me.
I may not live in your city, or even the same country but you guys are doing work that is so important and I thank you for it.
: )
You are heroes. Thank you.
Dear Firemen,
Thank you so much for all of your selfless work. Your friend will surely be missed, and I am humbled by the greatest sacrifice that he gave. You all are amazing, and the world is not only a much safer place, but a much better place with people like you all who have the courage and strength to fight fires for strangers.
Although I live hundreds of miles away in a small town in Maryland, you all will be in my thoughts, and I hope you know that you are all my heroes.
Sincerely,
Katrina
Thank you for everything you do! Love knows no boundaries.
Chris,
Your bravery and grit, and that of your family and fellow emergency services, is not equalled by any other. I am sorry for your loss.
Prayers, love and respects from Portland, Oregon
My heart goes out to all of you for the loss of your brother. Thank you to all firefighters for the bravery you exhibit every single day as you do this important job. — from Austin, Texas
I am so sorry to hear that your department has lost a brother. He lost his life in the most honorable way possible; saving another’s. What he did was inspirational and heroic, and he will never be forgotten. Stick together; with each other you will make it through. Like Chris, you are all amazing, inspirational people; thank you for all you have done to serve us.
I’m so sorry for your loss – you’re in our thoughts and prayers!
Thank you so much for all you do – all the sacrifice you give each and everyday. You guys are an inspiration!
All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you know how much all you do is appreciated by the community. You’re brave and amazing souls.
We are praying for you and for Chris’s family now. What an inspiration you all are. You camaraderie, strength and love for each other is wonderful to see. Thankyou for your service to all of us. Chris Wheatley was truly a hero, as all of you are heroes. God Bless you and thank you.
Hiedi
I am so sorry for your loss!
Take care, and thank you for all that you do!
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that this must be a very difficult time for everyone involved, and I can’t imagine what it must feel like. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire department and the family. Thank you so much for serving and placing your lives on the line everyday!
Thank you for serving and placing your lives on the line everyday! I am so grateful! I am also praying for your department.
Thank you for all that you do to serve your community. Sending love, prayers and thoughts from Virginia concerning your terrific loss.
What you do for the citizens of Chicago, and what sacrifices you make, amaze me. The work you do will never be forgotten, and you all are my idols. Chris will be remembered as a hero, and I can tell he was well loved.
Thank you.
Praying for the family of Chris Wheatley and the CFD from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s only because of people like you that I sleep soundly at night.
Thank you.
Sending love your way.
thank you
for your strength to get up each morning,
for you continued compassion for people helplessly in need
for your familys whom worry about you
for your friends who will hold you and keep you in this time of need
for your fallen friend and brother who will be forever missed
thank you chicago firefighters and thank you Chris Wheatley
You are all blessings… thanks so much for all you do.
Thanks for all you guys do. You keep watching over us and we will keep you in our prayers.
Thank you for all that you do
Sending Love, Strength and Kinds Thoughts to the CFD and the Wheately Family! You are Loved <3
My heart goes out to the Wheatley family in this difficult time. Thank you to all of you who risk their lives daily, work harder than anyone else, and work for the greater good. You truly are heros!
Thank you guys so much for putting your lives on the line every day. You are such amazing people and I’m praying for your station.
It takes guts to do the work you do. Thank you for your sacrifice and strength. God bless you.
Thank you for all you do.
You are in our prayers.
As you grieve, may your memories of Chris was inspire each of you to honor him in the tremendous work each of you do and by picking each other up, helping each other stay strong.
With respect and gratitude for all you do.
Just a note to let you know that there are many people around the world who are thinking of the team and your feelings of loss.
I send my sincere condolences on the passing of fellow firefighter Chris Wheately who was obviously a brave man.
Thank you for being the kind of people who care enough about others to risk your own lives. You are deeply appreciated.
He whom we love
and lose
is no longer
where he was before.
He is now
wherever we are.
Thanks to all the firefighters that do what they do for us.
What a difficult time it must be to lose a colleague and friend! Although I have never experienced anything similar and cannot truly grasp your pain, I want you to know that in Columbus, Ohio, we are praying for you all for your comfort and peace in the midst of this difficult time, but also for your safety as you serve so bravely and unselfishly to keep others safe.
Thank you so much for your service!
I am sending healing energy to each of you who worked with Chris and to his family. I know that when you work with someone as you did, you become family to each other, and that now your grief is very painful.
Use the grief to connect you, use it to heal you, and use it to honor the sacrifice he made for his community. I send you all thanks and gratitude for everything you do each day. May you find comfort in the memories you share of Chris.
I do not believe there is a nobler thing for a person to do than lose him or herself in the service of others, whether is be giving of time, talents or even really giving life itself. Many prayers go out to the family of this brave man. More prayers for the men who continue to serve and protect us and for their families as well.
Thank you so much for everything you do. All of you are inspirations to make a difference in society, while not even getting as much recognition as I think you deserve!. It’s very heartbreaking to hear of Chris. I send my love and support from all the way in Vancouver, Canada.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being there for everyone!
I just wanted to say that I am so sorry to hear about Chris. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I also wanted to thank you so very much for all that you do for your community, you have saved so many lives, hopes, and dreams. It’s people like you all that make communities great, and all your efforts and sacrifices are very much appreciated.
You guys do awesome work and it is so incredible what you guys go through everyday. it’s people like you that make the world a better place and a nicer place to live, it’s the people like you which define the word brave. i’ll be sending my love all the way from Australia for the family of Chris and this amazing team of firefighters.
It is always hard when someone close to you passes away, may you all keep hope and hope you know how grateful the citizens of Chicago are for all of your great work.
“I will turn mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13
While mourning your fallen brother, look for comfort in God’s strength.
Prayers for the family of this wonderful man Chris Wheatley and all that he has sacrificed for the people of his town. Without people who are brave enough to put themselves in danger to save others, our world would be at ruin. This team’s service and all those who help with it are so appreciated and dear in people’s hearts, never forget that.
To the people on his team, stay strong and always cherish his memory! Don’t be afraid to talk about the loss of your friend with each other, it will help him live on!
Sending love from virginia, Callah. <3
Thank you for everything that you do. I could never imagine having the strength to put my life on the line on a daily basis as you do. And you all do it proudly. As you deal with the loss of Chris, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, every single one of you.
The work that you all do is so incredible and its so heartbreaking to hear that you have lost one of your own. So many people from places near and far are so very appreciative of the hard work you all do and the danger you put yourselves in to help save the lives of others. Sending positive thoughts your way all the way from columbus ohio <333333333333
I know this is a hard time for everybody involved… It’s inspiring to hear what a family, blood related or not, can do for loved ones. Stay strong! (:
Praying for you.