Dearborn Fire Department, community to honor Watkins life and legacy March 6
DEARBORN — A remembrance for Dearborn Fire Capt. Jeremy Watkins will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. March 6 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.
Watkins passed away at the age of 49. Watkins served Dearborn as a firefighter for 22 years before medically retiring in 2024 with an occupation-related diagnosis of cancer.
A short memorial service with city and union officials paying tribute to Watkins will commence at 6 p.m. at the COMPAC.
On March 7, firefighters and emergency responders will escort the Watkins family to St. Hedwig Cemetery, 23755 Military Road, Dearborn Heights, with a full Fire Department and military honors processional.
Prayer and honors services will be held at the cemetery at 11 a.m.
Watkins began his service with the Fire Department in March 2002. He progressed through the ranks of Firefighter 2, engineer, lieutenant, and was promoted to captain in 2020.
“We are deeply saddened by this great loss to the Dearborn Fire Department and our community,” Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said. “Captain Watkins’ service to this city is immeasurable and we invite those that would like to pay respects to join us at this remembrance and procession.”
All Fire Department apparatus and emergency vehicles participating in the procession should meet at the COMPAC at 10 a.m. At 10:40 a.m., all emergency vehicles will depart. The procession will travel north on Greenfield Road. The procession will continue west Michigan Avenue to Outer Drive, turning north. The caravan will pass Dearborn Fire Station 2 on Outer Drive, continuing to westbound Ford Road, ending at St. Hedwig cemetery.
“Jeremy was a proud Dearborn resident and believed it was an honor to serve his hometown,” Fire Chief Joseph Murray said. “Throughout his more than 20-year career, he responded to numerous emergencies, and positively impacted the lives of thousands of individuals, often on the worst day of their lives.
“Jeremy took on cancer with the same bravery and courage he showed at the many fires he fought over the years.”
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Watkins’ memory to the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive, Neighbors United Walk for the Red, or the Henry Ford Health/Detroit Lions Game on Cancer.