'A well-respected and admired role model': MFD releases tribute to battalion chief who died following battle with brain cancer

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Friends, family and members of the Milwaukee Fire Department paid their respects to Battalion Chief Sean Slowey Friday, Dec. 17.

Slowey died last week after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 73 years old, and he spent 41 years working with the MFD.

A service was held for Slowey at the Wisconsin Center. Memories and heartbreak filled the room. 

"I've been told over and over how much of an honor it was to work with him, to put your life on the line with him. Others who knew him socially expressed what an honor it was to laugh with him and enjoy his company. But I can promise you the greatest honor was being his son," said Jack Slowey. 

Touching words also came from his second family, Milwaukee firefighters. 

"There are hundreds of people walking around today because your father laid his hands on them and gave them their life back." 

Dozens of firefighters attended the service. Most worked under Battalion Chief Slowey at some point. 

"Sean grew every one of us up. Everybody sitting here was a young firefighter under Sean as a senior firefighter."

It wasn't just his heroic life that these people will remember him by. It was the kind way he treated people.

"He loved his coffee, and when he was battalion 1, engine 18 would go have coffee with him," said Brent Jones, a commander with the Wisconsin Honor Guard. 

On Friday, the MFD released this tribute to Slowey: