Bringing him home
BROKEN BOW - It is with much sadness the Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department announces the Line of Duty Death of Fire Fighter (FF), James Bissonette.
Bissonette joined the Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department in October of 2019.
The Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department was asked to assist with the wildfires in Banner County, Neb., Aug.7-10. After Fire Fighter Bissonette returned home from Banner
county, he became ill.
Bissonette fought a hard battle of COVID -19, but eventually passed away Sept. 23, 2021 at Bryan East Medical Center, Lincoln, Neb.
Bissonette leaves behind a wife and two children. Please keep this family and Broken Bow Fire Dept in your thoughts and prayers.
BROKEN BOW - On a warm sunny September day, crowds gathered along the east edge in Broken Bow and around the Square. If there was a parking lot, it was filled.
The Broken Bow Fire Department’s American flag (15 feet by 25 feet), was flown at Custer Public Power by their Digger Derek Truck with the material handler arm, flying high and proud for Bissonette’s service.
The BBFD met the Bissonette caravan at the Custer County line and escorted them into Broken Bow with seven fire trucks and one ambulance. Joining Broken Bow were rigs from the following communities: Arnold, Comstock, Anselmo, Callaway, Sargent, Ansley, Mason City, Oconto and Merna.
As the Broken Bow police prepared to shut down traffic around 4 p.m. Friday, there was a silence. In the distance, the sirens could be heard, getting louder as they approached.
As the 17 rigs approached downtown Broken Bow with full sirens, the sound was deafening and yet still silent as people watched the hearse and trucks make the turn from the highway south on 9th Ave. towards Govier Brothers Mortuary.
Broken Bow Fire Chief Jason Baum stated, “It was very emotional and uplifting to see such love and support for the Bissonette family in their time of grief.”
LINCOLN - Members of the Broken Bow Fire Department and EMT Department were in Lincoln Sept. 23 for a Hero’s Walk for one of their own.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, the decision was made to donate James Bissonette’s organs. Thursday morning Broken Bow firefighters and EMTS and nursing staff lined the hallway at Bryan East Medical Center as Bissonette was wheeled down the hallway one last time.
Broken Bow Mayor Rod Sonnichsen and City Administrator Dan Knoell were on hand. Sonnichsen said five vehicles
from Broken Bow arrived packed with firefighters and EMTS to be there. Forty to 50 nurses and other health care providers from Bryan East also took part. All solemnly clapped their hands as Bissonnette was transported the length of the hallway.
“This is how they honor heroes. I was very impressive,” Sonnichsen said.
The mayor spoke of the bond of Broken Bow emergency responders. “It’s so impressive how tight Broken Bow first responders are. It’s emotional.”
Sonnichsen estimated about 80 percent of Broken Bow’s EMT and fire departments were present and that neighboring towns in Custer County were put on backup.
“This is a huge thing,” Sonnichsen said. “It hits the heart.”