Bossier offers final salute to fallen firefighter, soldier, MMA fighter Jessie Henry

Brianna Puckett, a longtime friend of firefighter Jessie Henry, walked on red carpet to the center of the ice floor at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum to pay her last respects during his visitation Wednesday morning. She stopped and gave his mother a long hug before leaving the ice and taking a seat in the stands as the funeral started.

Puckett remembers Henry as a kid brother and was shocked by his untimely death at the age of 28.

Henry died when he was working on a firetruck earlier this month.

"He was hilarious," she recalled as she wiped a tear from her eye, "he was fun and sweet."

In his obituary Henry was described as a wonderful father, son and brother, "To know Jessie was to love him. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him best and loved him most."

Henry was a graduate of Captain Shreve High School and received an associate degree from Bossier Parish Community College. He served as an EMT and Firefighter for the South Bossier Fire District #2. He also served in the Army National Guard and was a professional Martial Arts Fighter, known as "Overtime", with 2 wins in his record.

The song, "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe, played during the processional of the funeral as family members took their seats inside the ring and others watched from the arena seats. Close to 200 officers dressed in uniforms walked past the casket and gave a final salute.

Cards from noted officials were read to the family. "Whether it was a phone call, a text, a hug, or just a whispered prayer, we are eternally grateful and express our sincere gratitude," was written in the program and read at the funeral.

Tears were shed as Henry's daughter, Karmen, let go of her big stuffed animal and walked to the mic to read her letter to her dad, "I will miss our times together".

Henry was interred at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home and Park.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Bossier City offers final salute to fallen firefighter Jessie Henry