
Honoring Peabody firefighter James M. Rice

Thousands of mourners came to Peabody today for the funeral of fallen firefighter James M. Rice. After the funeral service, his casket was driven to the cemetery atop Engine 5.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

From left, Alex White, 8, and his friend, Paige Biscaia, 6, both from Salem, were allowed to stand in front of firefighters as they saluted.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Pallbearers carried Rice's casket at the end of the funeral service.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

During the funeral service, a Massachusetts State Trooper kept a funeral program with Rice's photo inside his hat.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Rice's best friend and Peabody Fire captain Jay Dowling hugged Rice's wife, Amy, inside St. John Baptist Church after he delivered his eulogy.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Speaking at the Greek Orthodox funeral service, Metropolitan Methodios described the 42-year-old Rice as a man with "character, courage and inner strength."
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Dowling carried Rice's helmet.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Firefighters saluted outside the church.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

James Rice’s casket was carried into the church by his colleagues from Engine 5.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

On the way to the church, Rice's casket was carried through Peabody atop a ladder truck.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

They moved past hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and numerous political figures.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Rice's family walked behind the casket.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Rice was killed last week while fighting an apartment building fire. He leaves his wife, Amy, and their three children.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Peabody firefighters filed into the church today.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

The procession this morning was led by fire department honor guards, Peabody Police, and a contingent of drum and bagpipe corps.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

Peabody firefighter Dennis Kolodziej saluted a ladder truck carrying flowers as it passed through Peabody Square.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

From left, Madison Conrad, Tyler Conrad, and Lisa Roberts, all of Peabody, held a sign for fallen firefighter James M. Rice yesterday.
Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011

A firefighter consoled a woman outside of the wake at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody yesterday.
Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff
| December 30, 2011