Ramos visitation in Sterling High fieldhouse attended by more than 2,000

STERLING – They came and stood, rocking back and forth to keep warm, hand in pockets, warding off the twilight chill, and chatting.

And they came. And they came. And they just kept coming, until eventually an estimated 1,500 or so stood in line on the sidewalk along Miller Road. Couples, groups, entire families and their children.

The Red Cross walked the line, handing out coffee and hot chocolate as the mourners waited for the doors to open, At 5 p.m. they began to stream inside, to pay their respects to the man whose body lay in repose under a giant American flag on the west wall of the Sterling High School gymnasium.

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Firefighters file into Sterling High School Wednesday afternoon as the city and department prepare for the visitation of Sterling firefighter Garrett Ramos. With crowds expected to be in the hundreds, the visitation is being held in the fieldhouse of SHS. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)

Capt. Garrett Ramos died Saturday protecting his community, and his community was there to give their thanks. Ramos, promoted posthumously to the rank of captain, is the first firefighter the Sterling Fire Department has lost in the line of duty. His brothers and sisters, more than 730 strong, came to honor his sacrifice — making the crowd well over 2,000.

The buzz of voices was loud as people shuffled into the lobby of the fieldhouse, but fell silent in the warmth of the entryway to the gym, where soft music played as photos of Garrett and his girls – his wife, Brittney, and their daughters Ruthie, 3, and Kepa, 2 – flashed across a large screen, and eight smaller ones lining the hallway.

A line the length of the gym, up, and then down, and then up again, folded into itself as mourners followed the lanes created to lead them past the flag-draped casket. As many people waited outside for the line to thin, while others sat in the bleachers, waiting for the ceremonial walk-through.

It began at 6. By one count, 734 firefighters, EMTs, and other responders, active and retired, in dress blues and white gloves, their badges striped black, or in daily work uniforms, scrubs and street clothes, marched into the gym, around the crowd and past the casket.

Each gave Ramos a final salute before marching out. The visitation continued into the night.

Services continue today with the funeral is at 10 a.m. at Westwood Fitness and Sports Center, 1900 Westwood Drive, in Building 3, which is the far north building. Attendees are asked to enter via Clubhouse Lane on the east side of the complex, next to Astec Mobile Screens, and follow traffic control to the parking area.

Afterward, a limited family procession will leave Westwood to attend a private ceremony. A large ceremonial procession of fire apparatus from a broad region then will assemble and depart. The processional route:

▪ From Westwood Drive, exit west onto LeFevre Road

▪ LeFevre Road west to McCue Road

▪ McCue Road north to Science Ridge Road

▪ Science Ridge Road east to state Route 40/Locust Street

▪ State Route/40 Locust Street south to Fifth Street

▪ Fifth Street west to Avenue C

▪ Avenue C to Fourth Street

Fifth Street between Locust Street and Avenue B will close temporarily between the family procession and the ceremonial procession for a private ceremony.

Masks are requested. Car-pooling is advised.

McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls is handling arrangements.