Mourners recall firefighter's life of service

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (The Tidings) - Remembered for his dedication, humor and ultimate sacrifice, Brent Allan Lovrien -- a loyal firefighter who lost his life in a March 26 explosion -- received a hero's memorial at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on April 4.

City fire Chaplain George Negrete called Lovrien "an accomplished firefighter who loved life.... We're not here primarily for his dying, but for his living."

Present to honor his memory and to pay their last respects were an estimated 4,500 mourners, most of them fellow firefighters and police officers throughout California as well as family and friends. They packed the seats and Cathedral wall space; overflow mourners watched the Christian funeral service on the plaza from a big screen.

Lovrien, 35, was a third generation firefighter; his grandfather and uncle were firefighters. A nearly 11-year LAFD veteran with specialized training in hazardous materials and urban search and rescue, Lovrien was responding to reports of explosions and smoke in Westchester when a sudden explosion killed him. It's been almost four years since a Los Angeles firefighter lost his life in the line of duty.

Traditional firefighter rituals honored Lovrien as a first responder willing to place his life in jeopardy to protect others. Prior to the service, glistening red fire trucks lined Temple Street and thousands of uniformed firefighters and police officers processed from City Hall to the Cathedral. They solemnly walked in step past Fire Engine 95 on which was perched Lovrien's red casket. Mourners listened to the somber cry of bagpipers.

'Face of God'

Cardinal Roger Mahony welcomed the faithful of all religious traditions and thanked firefighters and police officers for their sacrificial service. "Every day you place your lives at the service of the community and neighborhoods," said the cardinal. "We appreciate those daily sacrifices and are grateful to each one of you."

Addressing Lovrien's parents, brother, and relatives, Chaplain Negrete said the show of solidarity by uniformed firefighters and officers in this time of anguish "is the face of God saying, 'I am with you.'"

David Hayes, a long-time family friend, read a letter written by Lovrien's mother Patricia. She noted her son wanted to be a firefighter since he was a young boy. Describing him as a hard worker with a high standard of excellence, she wrote that her son had "a hard shell on the outside, but was soft inside."

"He will never leave us," she wrote. "His spirit lives on."

Lou Aldana, a friend for 15 years, choked up as he tried to speak, until Lovrien's mother stood by his side and grasped his arm so he could share memories of her son. Aldana described Lovrien as having a "fierce sense of loyalty to family and friends." Bringing laughter into the ceremony, Aldana recalled Lovrien's talent for fixing boats and recounted a mountain biking experience that took the two friends through an unexpected patch of poison ivy.

Aldana poignantly defined two kinds of courage -- "the courage to risk your life for others," exemplified by his friend Brent, and "the courage to carry on after tremendous loss" now facing Brent's colleagues and family.

Nicknamed "Lovey," by his brother firefighters, Lovrien was known for having a sense of humor. "He just liked to see people happy," said Captain Scott Parker.

Also present were Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Fire Chief Douglas Barry and Steven Tufts, president of UFLAC.

"Brent would do anything for a friend and even more for a stranger," Villaraigosa said firefighters told him. A firefighter's heart means "the willingness to run into danger," he said.

Barry presented Brent's service badge to the family. Calling Lovrien a hero, he said "Brent knew and accepted the risks of being a firefighter." His legacy, he added, is the "spirit of service."

Tufts offered the family a Bible on behalf of UFLAC Local 112.

No greater love

Pastor Jeff Johnson, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel in Downey, offered the Gospel reflection, preaching Jesus' message that no person demonstrates greater love than to give up their life for a friend.

"Anyone of you could have been there and you know it. Anyone could have been in his shoes," said Pastor Johnson.

Fire engineer Anthony J. Guzman, 48, was also injured in the blast and underwent surgery for multiple fractures. Sitting in a wheelchair, Guzman was present at Lovrien's funeral.

In the spirit of loyal and dedicated service, Chaplain Negrete asked the city's firefighters to renew their oaths while scores of other federal, state, county and local firefighters and police officers quietly renewed theirs.

In honor of Lovrien and in the presence of his casket, the firefighters in unison renewed their oaths: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully serve the City of Los Angeles in the discharge of my duties as a firefighter to the best of my knowledge and ability, so help me God."

In a final tradition to bid their brother firefighter farewell a bell was rung 10 times, signifying that Lovrien honorably completed his life's task and duty.

"We all recognize the duty he did and what he was willing to sacrifice for citizens. It was the ultimate sacrifice for others," said Firefighter Rick Todd of Santa Barbara County following the service. Recommitting to their oath of service was a tribute to Lovrien and to show "solidarity with our chosen profession. We're a giant team," said Todd, a firefighter for 28 years. "We came to support him and his family."

They are waiting for you. Will you answer?

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This story was made available to Catholic Online by permission of The Tidings (www.the-tidings.com), official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.