Local fire departments honor fallen Okolona fire captain’s transport home

WARREN COUNTY, Ky. – Several local fire departments are paying tribute to a fallen Okolona fire captain’s journey home to Louisville.

On Friday, Capt. Christopher Berry of Okolona Fire Protection District was processed back home to Louisville. According to the Alvaton fire department, fire trucks, ambulances and law enforcement traveled to salute Berry’s service during the quarter-mile long procession.

Berry died while on a camping trip in the area of Dale Hollow Lake Wednesday, according to Okolona Fire Protection District.

The agency says his body was located Wednesday morning after Berry fell into the water while fishing on a bass boat with friends overnight. His remains were being transported home Friday from the Nashville Medical Examiner’s Office.

Alvaton, Plano, Bowling Green and Browning firefighters flew the American flag over Interstate 65 this afternoon to mark is transport.

“Captain Berry was a dedicated public servant whose loss has been felt across the state,” Alvaton Fire Department stated.

Okolona officials say Berry was 35 years old and a nine-year veteran of the Okolona Fire Protection District. He started his fire service career in 2011 as a volunteer firefighter with the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District, later becoming a career firefighter with McMahan Fire Protection District in 2013, according to officials.

Berry’s services were recognized with the Department’s Fire Life Saver Award in 2018 and two separate Unit Citations for his outstanding service, officials say.

Berry leaves behind a wife of six years, his biological parents, a stepfather, a sister, a mother and father-in-law and an extensive fire and EMS family.

Okolona Fire Protection District says funeral arrangements will be announced on its Facebook page, which can be accessed here.