Home»FUNERALS»LODD Lt. James Bethea Funeral 11-20-14

A full Fire Department Funeral with honors was held for Lieutenant James Bethea on November 20, 2014 at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen in Baltimore.
Hundreds of firefighters and law enforcement officers attended, some from as far away as Canada. Preceding the service Bethea’s casket was brought from the funeral home to the church on top of Squad 40. There it stopped at the front of the church where the Baltimore City Fire Department Honor Guard, serving as pallbearers, took the casket from atop the pumper and proceeded into the church for the two hour private service.
Lt. Bethea, one of the department’s Safety Officer, was found dead on November 12th in a vacant dwelling next door to 706 East North Avenue where a fire occurred shortly after midnight. He apparently was investigating smoke coming from the dwelling next door after the fire was placed under control. While in there he fell through the floor and landed in the basement, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His body was not discovered until later the next morning when an off duty firefighter saw his car still on the scene and called fire officials. Units were then dispatched back to the scene and after investigating found his body. The Medical Examiner ruled that Lt. Bethea died of smoke inhalation after he fell through the floor.
After the service the casket was loaded back onto Squad 40 where it and Truck 12 led the procession up to the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens where he would be laid to rest. Along the whole route of the procession apparatus from Baltimore City and Baltimore County was at every intersection and beltway overpasses with their crews saluting and giving final respects to Lt. Bethea.
Lt. Bethea was a 41-year veteran of the department. His last assignment was Truck 12 before he became the Safety Officer. He was revered by the younger firefighters whom he had mentored throughout his career. He took his job seriously and was very passionate about safety and the safety of his fellow firefighters.