MANASSA– Alamosa dispatch placed a “final call” for ‘Manassa Fire 3’ as more than 100 gathered at the cemetery here Friday to pay their last respects to longtime firefighter Harold Cordova.

A 66-year Conejos County Fire Board member and Manassa volunteer firefighter, Cordova, 83, died Sunday, May 1 after helping fight a grass fire here.

Funeral services were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Conejos, the oldest Catholic church in Colorado, followed by a procession to the Manassa-Romeo cemetery. Over 100 family members, friends and first responders from across the San Luis Valley participated in the procession under a large flag hanging from two fire ladder trucks parked in front of the Manassa fire hall.

Sobbing could be heard throughout the gathering as the “final call” came from dispatch to a radio held by Devin Haynie, deputy district chief for Colorado Division of Fire Protection and Control.

Father Sergio Roblis proceeded over the services which concluded with the toning of bells by two members of the City of Pueblo Fire Department Honor Guard, who also completed the ceremonial folding of the flag draped over Cordova’s casket.

The flag then was presented by Manassa Assistant Chief John Comstock to Cordova’s widow Maria.