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Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's Funeral Service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C.

REIDSVILLE — Area firefighters and law enforcement officers came together Sunday to honor one of their own.

Only Richard “Rick” Murrell didn’t die in the line of duty. It was a car crash in Browns Summit that claimed the life of the beloved father and firefighter.

People gather outside Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville on Sunday to honor Richard “Rick” Murrell, a Greensboro firefighter who died recently in a car crash.

The tragedy happened weeks ago, but is still fresh in the hearts and minds of many. Murrell, 58, a Reidsville native and 32-year veteran of the Greensboro Fire Department, was driving a Jeep Cherokee south on N.C. 61 during an afternoon rainstorm weeks ago when he and wife Tonya were struck head on by another car.

Driving too fast for the wet conditions, 16-year-old Alexio Lattero of Gibsonville had lost control of his 2012 Dodge Charger. The Charger caught fire, trapping a 15-year-old passenger and Lattero’s 26-year-old sister. Both died at the scene.

Richard “Rick” Murrell’s firefighter’s helmet is carried during his funeral service on Sunday at Reidsville Christian Church.

On Sunday, a memorial service and celebration of his life was held at Reidsville Christian Church.

Tonya Murrell, who suffered broken limbs and ribs, continues to recover from critical injuries at a local hospital. A teacher at Community Baptist Day School in Reidsville, she wasn’t able to attend her husband’s memorial, which was streamed online and attended by roughly 200 firefighters and law enforcement officers.

In announcing their father’s funeral, Murrell’s three children — ages 17, 19, and 21 — wrote about how their dad’s love steadied them in their grief.

“When a tragedy such as this happens, people oftentimes will expect you to fall apart. However, the opposite has occurred to us,’’ the children wrote. “People have instead asked about our strength, courage and how we as his children have been able to stand with our heads held high in the face of such a traumatic experience. Well, let me tell you about our father, the man who taught us to be strong — Rick Murrell.

“He was and is a hero to us and to most everyone he met.”

Levi Murrell, Richard Murrell’s son, is presented the American flag at the funeral service for his father on Sunday.

Outside the church military and fire fighter honors ceremonies are held during Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Fire fighters arrive for Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's Funeral Service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Richard “Rick” Murrell’s firefighter’s helmet is carried during his funeral service on Sunday at Reidsville Christian Church.

Fire fighters file out of the church to perform honors ceremonies during Richard "Rick" Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Outside the church military and fire fighter honors ceremonies are held during Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell’s funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville on Sunday.

Station 5's ladder truck displays a large American Flag for Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's Funeral Service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

At left: The ladder truck Richard “Rick” Murrell drove from Station 5 has its number 5 black banned in his honor on Sunday.

Taps is played during the funeral service on Sunday.

People gather outside Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville on Sunday to honor Richard “Rick” Murrell, a Greensboro firefighter who died recently in a car crash.

Outside the church military and fire fighter honors ceremonies are held during Richard Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Firefighters move a bell into position for the funeral on Sunday.

North Carolina State Highway troopers arrive for Richard Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Family arrives for Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

A Greensboro Fire Department vehicle arrives for Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

The American flag is lowered to half-staff for Richard “Rick” Murrell’s funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church on Sunday.

Family arrives for Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's funeral service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C., on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

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Richard “Rick” Norman Murrell's Funeral Service at Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville, N.C.

People gather outside Reidsville Christian Church in Reidsville on Sunday to honor Richard “Rick” Murrell, a Greensboro firefighter who died recently in a car crash.

Richard “Rick” Murrell’s firefighter’s helmet is carried during his funeral service on Sunday at Reidsville Christian Church.

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