Emergency officials escort fallen firefighter home to Dunn

Hearing the sirens and seeing the lights on an emergency vehicle is a sign that someone needs help and Captain Jerry Jackson Jr. never hesitated to be the person helping.

“He loved helping the members of the community,” said Dunn EMS Assistant Chief Rodney Eason

Now a call for help is coming from Jackson’s family, who are in need of support as they struggle with losing him.

“It’ll be a major loss,” said Jackson’s father, Jerry Jackson Sr.

Jackson was a husband, son, brother, and a father of two. His family came first in his life followed by his other role as a firefighter and paramedic.

“He went through a lot of careers, but he finally found his calling,” said Jackson’s sister-in-law Jerri McLamb.

“[He was] very funny,” said Chief. “Always had music blaring from the 60s, always had a practical joke or a joke to tell you.”

Jackson also loved motorcycles. On Saturday, he was riding with friends during an annual trip to Myrtle Beach when he was struck in an accident and lost his life.

As his family of first responders escort his body from the county line to the funeral home, it seemed appropriate to take one last detour.

“We’re going by the fire station one last time,” said Eason

As they always do, they responded to the call for help, to serve out of love, respect, and kindness. After all, that’s what Jackson would have done.

“Gratitude, love for all they’ve done for my son,” said Jerry Jackson Sr. “You can find no better love than what I’ve seen here today.”

As colleagues escorted Jackson to the funeral home this morning, first responders from Erwin and other surrounding areas volunteered to cover the Dunn community.