Fire Marshall Tim Smith’s turn out gear
Very public funerals such as today’s for Tim Smith deserve the best of the best coverage for residents who knew him, but cannot attend or out-of-state High School buddies who’ve been following Orange Live or other media for information.
Back when Asst Police Chief Bill Garfield and Asst Chief Mark Greco passed away, I was much younger and had the energy to run from place to place and take photos from different vantage points, but I’m in my 60s now and it takes a lot longer for me to walk around to where I want to be.
I can’t be everywhere like I used to try to be, so if anyone can take photos of the procession anywhere along the route from Milford to Orange (as they pass in front of Station 2) I would greatly appreciate it if you would submit them to orangectlive01@gmail.com so I can include them in the coverage as we say our final goodbye to our wonderful friend, Tim Smith.
I would like to be at Cody White in Milford when the eight pall bearers place the casket on the muster truck, but, I wouldn’t be able to find a parking space if I took the shot in Milford then raced up to Orange.
I know that a photo of lines of officers at attention speaks volumes, and that is where I will be, at the church where the firefighters, police and other first responders are. I promise not to get in the way and will respect this “event” not only because it’s important to everyone, but because Tim was a friend and I respect his girls and his contemporaries with all my heart.
Note to other media:
At high profile funerals, I always have ample opportunity to get the “money shot” — a tasteless expression that I’ve heard some photographers use — of the grieving family, but a long time ago, I established that no matter what for as long as I am doing this I would follow this motto, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” I ask that everyone else do the same. Tim’s daughters and his girlfriend, Terri are going through the most difficult time of their lives and they don’t need cameras in their faces. Let’s all put ourselves in their place, and do our jobs without being intrusive.