ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Fairview community is mourning the loss of a firefighter and his nephew who died in the line of duty on Sept. 27, 2024.

“We are a small community, and we mourn the loss of our beloved neighbors and members of our fire department, including Tony Garrison, who lost his life while selflessly working to rescue others during Hurricane Helene, carrying out his commitment to serving our community in their time of need, as he had done valiantly throughout his career. Brandon Ruppe, Tony Garrison’s nephew, lost his life beside Tony while bravely assisting to save their neighbors when the mudslide hit. We lost 13 members of our community due to the storm, but I am thankful that as of Monday, October 7, all missing persons have been recovered,” Garren Creek Fire District Chief Wade Wright said in a Facebook Post.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Fairview Fire Department and Garren Creek Fire Department will honor Garrison, 51, who served as a battalion chief with Fairview Fire Department and a firefighter with Garren Creek Fire Department.

Given the ongoing recovery efforts and road conditions, a final salute will be held as Garrison’s remains are transferred to the church for private services. Fire departments and emergency service agencies have been invited to join the farewell. The salute will take place as a drive-by gesture while the procession makes its way to the destination.

Agencies wishing to participate in the lineup are asked to contact Terry Young from the Office of the State Fire Marshal by email at terry.young@ncdoi.gov to be added to the list of responding agencies. Please provide the number of vehicles/apparatus and total personnel your agency plans to post along the route.

“Let us come together to pay tribute to a fallen hero who exemplified courage, commitment and service,” Buncombe County officials said in a statement.

Arrival and procession details

Those attending the final farewell are asked to report to the Ingles parking lot at 225 Charlotte Highway in Asheville between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. Upon arrival, please check in with Deputy Chief Ken Letford at 828-777-4271. Attendees will be directed to line up along Charlotte Highway at designated locations.

After the procession has concluded, all attendees will be asked to disperse. Other arrangements will be private. Formal invitations will be extended at the discretion of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to one of the following:

Click here to see Garrison’s obituary.