Daughter receives diploma in her fallen dad’s jacket as 300 of his colleagues attended her graduation
When a daughter lost her father, his co-workers made sure that she wouldn’t march into her graduation day alone.
Joslyn Carlon lost her father just two days before her graduation day.
Tory Carlon, a veteran firefighter from LA, lost his life when a co-worker shot him multiple times. The incident happened at Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce when an off-duty co-worker opened fire. The LAFD fire captain was also wounded in the shooting.
The shooter, who was a firefighter specialist and engineer, was found dead inside a burning home in Acton, California, about 10 miles from where he committed the crime.
The tragedy robbed Joslyn’s family of a protector, provider, and most of all, a father.
But the world doesn’t stop at our loss. Two days after Tory’s death, Joslyn marched towards the stage to receive her diploma. Unlike her friends who wore their graduation togas, Joslyn remembered her father’s faithful service by draping his fireman jacket over her toga.
And while her father can no longer be there to see her through this phase of her life, his friends and the LAFD made sure that Joslyn could feel her father’s presence during the momentous occasion.
On graduation day, Saugus High School saw a congregation of red fire engines idled on the parking lot.
Dozens and dozens of firefighters dressed in black and blue lined up the path where Joslyn walked.
Tory’s family cried as they marched between the lines of the heartwarming gesture of camaraderie and sympathy.
About 300 firefighters and law enforcement officers attended the ceremony to stand in Tory’s place.
The ranks included people who worked closely with Joslyn’s father.
When Joslyn was called on stage, they also made sure that she was not alone.
They responded in cheers and thunderous applause as the tear-stricken Joslyn walked down the stage with the sheriff’s deputy on her arm. The said deputy was a close friend to the family.
The emotional moment proved that what we do in life endures even after our passing.
As for Tory, the sheer amount of support that his daughter received is a testament to how loved her father was when he was still serving the community.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby described Tory Carlon as a very brave, committed, and loyal member of the department for over 20 years.
He started his career as an explorer in the forestry department until he became a firefighter.
L.A. Country firefighter and paramedic Gary Reichman told KABC:
“It was a hard night, but I was proud to be here and support that family. To honor that beautiful girl tonight meant so much to me, to all my colleagues and friends.”
Tory Carlon was survived by his wife Heidi and their three daughters.
During a memorial service for Carlon, his daughter Joslyn said:
“You don’t know what I would give to just hug my daddy again. Tell him I love him and see his beautiful smile one last time.”
LAC Fire Chief Daryl Osby said at the same memorial:
“He was a great employee. He stood for all the department’s core values of caring, commitment, community, courage, integrity and teamwork.”
Joslyn has lost her father, but hopefully, with the overwhelming support of their community, they can all heal from the tragedy and cherish his life and legacy.
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Source: FOX 11 Los Angeles via YouTube, KTLA 5 via YouTube, KTLA 5 via YouTube, ONSCENE TV via YouTube, CNN, KTLA 5