Winchester firefighter remembered

Hero.

Family man.

Firefighter.

Someone who got things done.

Rick Sanders, a Winchester firefighter who died after going into cardiac arrest while fighting a fire Dec. 12, was remembered by family, friends and the community as all of those things and more during his funeral service Sunday at Winchester Fieldhouse.

Hundreds gathered at the fieldhouse to remember Sanders in a service led by Winchester Fire Chief Scott Patterson and Don Staton. His casket was draped with an American flag, and a lambskin apron was placed to signify his Masonic membership.

Sanders had served as a firefighter for the Winchester and White River Township fire departments for 14 years.

His years of service were referred to as “evidence of how much he cared about the community. … He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that community.” He also owned Sanders’ Service Auto Repair and Towing.

Speakers during the service remembered Sanders as someone not shy about speaking his mind, an individual who, if he saw a problem, was ready to jump in and do what it took to solve it. 

He was referred to as a “hard-working, family loving man” who, if he didn’t know how to do something, “he would just dive in, learn as you go, and he got it done.”

Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones presented Sanders’ family with the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Meritorious Service Medal in his honor. The medal is awarded to those “who demonstrate exceptional service, leadership and technical knowledge over time.”

“It touches my heart,” said Jones. “These are difficult times, but I am proud of the public safety community and the community that is here today to support Rick’s family.”

He also read from a letter written by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, who had ordered flags to be flown at half staff, and his wife Janet.

“Indiana’s firefighters are true heroes, and Rick was no exception,” the letter said. “Devoted to protecting his community, he was a model of exemplary and selfless service. …

“It takes a special, heroic person to always place others ahead of themselves, even when it means placing himself in harm’s way. Rick was such a person. I know his courageous spirit will endure in your heart and memories forever.”

Following Sunday’s service, dozens of uniformed firefighters and other emergency responders lined up outside the fieldhouse. They saluted as Sanders’ casket was carried from the fieldhouse to the back of a truck on which he was transported to Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester for burial. The procession included firetrucks and other emergency vehicles from a long list of local departments.

Sanders was among the group of firefighters who responded Dec. 12 to a house fire in the area of Watson and Brown streets. While fighting the fire inside the house, he “began to feel unwell,” according to details from the fire department. He exited the house and sought treatment from medics, during which he went into cardiac arrest.

He was treated at the scene and then transported to St. Vincent Randolph hospital, where he later died.

Richard “Rick” Lloyd Sanders was born Dec. 6, 1976, in Muncie and was a lifelong resident of Winchester.  Survivors include his wife, Billie Holaday Sanders; and four children, Amanda (Chris) Engle, Abbey (Jake) Farrington, Jonathan Dillon and Joseph Loudy.