‘ One of the best we had’
Remembering Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio
They were the fathers of young children, living andworking just a few miles apart from each other on the city’s Southwest Side— one, a career public servant recalled as the best of Chicago, the other a Chicago newcomer who was supporting his family in Mexico.
And while Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio had nevermet 28- year- old Alberto Lopez, a tragic set of circumstances brought them together on Memorial Day in the Chicago River, leaving Bucio dead and authorities still searching for Lopez.
“I can’t say enough about this man— as a father, as a family man, as a friend, as a co- worker, as a peer . . . he was the best,” Deputy District Chief Ron Dorneker said. “I’m telling you, Juan Bucio loved this job. He loved being a Chicago firefighter, and he loved being part of this dive team.”
Bucio, 46, had been searching for Lopez, who’d fallen off a boat near the 2600 hundred block of South Ashland about 7: 50 p. m. Monday.
Two other people were in a 16- foot johnboat with Lopez, who was sitting on the railing when another boat passed and the wake knocked him overboard, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
During the search, Bucio lost contact with his dive partner. They eventually located him, but he was pronounced dead at StrogerHospital.
Dorneker needed some time to collect himself while speaking to reporters Tuesday outside Bucio’s station, Engine 13, at 259 N. Columbus Dr.
“Giveme a second. Work with me,” a choked- up Dorneker said. Behind him, the station was draped with purple bunting in honor of the fallen firefighter. “This is for Juan.”
Bucio, who briefly was a Chicago police officer before joining CFD, moved to the dive team as soon as he could after joining the department.
“He loved the water. He was great in the water. He was one of the best we had,” Dorneker said.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago also visited Bucio’s station to console grieving firefighters.
“He has two sons. And I think it’s important for his sons to know that their dad is a hero — a Chicago hero who gave his all for the rest of us,” Emanuel said haltingly.
Tuesday afternoon, a police car was stationed outside Bucio’s home in the 6300 block ofW. 63rd St.
“He’s a nice guy and very polite and you could tell he was a very great dad,” Maria Candeles said Tuesday afternoon after visiting with relatives who were neighbors of Bucio’s.
Across the street, a firefighter’s helmet lay on top of a bucket on a second floor patio.
Neighbor Jerry Kamin said the helmet belonged to his father, who was on the Chicago Fire Department in the 1930s. Kamin said he did it to letBucio’s relatives know“thatwe feel the pain of the family.”
The search for Lopez was suspended late Tuesday afternoon and was expected to resumeWednesday.
Mauricio Cruz, an owner of VD Interiorswhere Lopezworked on installation projects, said the 28- year- old arrived in Chicago about a year ago to make money for his wife and three young children in Mexico.
“It’s shocking. He wanted to make things better for his family,” Cruz said.
Police are investigating Bucio’s death but have no reason to believe it was anything but a tragedy.
The stretch of river just west of Ashland Avenue where Bucio was pulled from the water contains a scrap metal yard. A Chicago Park District riverside trail is on the opposite bank.
Bucio joined the CFD in 2003 and had been on the dive team since 2007. He is survived by his two sons, ages 7 and 9, and nine siblings. One of his brothers is a fellow CFD firefighter, and one of his sisters is a Chicago police officer, Santiago said.
Firefighter- paramedic and fellow diver Brian Coffman said he was “choked up” and “shocked” when he heard the news.
“Juan was a good guy. He was always jumping in. ... I trained with him. I’ve been on incidents with him. He was a consummate professional. Calm. When things had to be done fast, he was there. I trusted him with my life as a partner.”
Lt. Chris Meziere of the Air and Sea Rescue Unit described Bucio as “incredible” and as a “great diver.”
“Whatever you needed done, Juan got it done. He never said ‘ no’,” Meziere said.
Bucio is the 13thmemberof the Chicago Fire Department to have died in the line of duty since 2000, according to the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
Two other divers were taken to Northwestern hospital in good condition. They have been released.