Thousands Pay Respects to Second Firefighter Killed in South Side Blaze

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 30, 2010 10:00PM

Funeral services for Chicago firefighter Corey Ankum, who was killed along with Edward Stringer fighting a blaze on the South side last week, drew 3,000 family, firefighters and dignitaries today to Apostolic Church of God on the South Side.

Among those offering tributes to Ankum were Fire Commission Robert Hoff and Mayor Daley, who became emotional in his tribute to Ankum. Ankum's wife, Dameka, is a secretary in Daley's office.

"What is a hero today? It's not those that you may read in the newspaper," Daley said. "Sports figures, Hollywood stars. It's not politicians, not media people, not union or business people. It's those like Corey, and 568 other people, personnel, that gave their lives to the Chicago police department, and fire department. That is what a hero is all about, and let's not ever forget that."