7-year-old honorary firefighter laid to rest with full honors

BLACKWOOD, N.J. -- A 7-year-old from New Jersey received a farewell fit for a hero. Aiden Riebel died of cancer last week, and the boy with a big heart was also an honorary firefighter.

Aiden dreamed of being a firefighter. On Wednesday he was laid to rest as one. Firefighters from around the area came to Blackwood's St. Agnes Church to bury the boy with full honors.

Aiden died December 10 after an almost lifelong battle with leukemia.

Chief John Hoffman of the Washington Twp. Fire Department says, "To go through what he was going through at such a young age and to know that takes a lot to deal with that, and he never missed a beat."

Lt. Joe Santilli from Washington Twp. Fire says, "We treated him like he was one of us and that was his dream. That's all he wanted to do. And to see that passion in such a young boy was just heartwarming. You wanted to be a part of it."

When they heard of Aiden's dream to be a firefighter, the department in his hometown of Washington Township made him an honorary member last year. His gear didn't quite fit.

Word spread through social media and soon departments from all over the states and other countries were sending patches, helmets and well wishes to Aiden using the motto "No one fights alone."

Mike Scarpato from Hammonton Fire Co. No. 2 tells us, "It's not every day you hear of a 7-year-old that's in love with the fire department at such a young age."

Phillis Reif from Pitman says, "It's a brotherhood - men, women - no matter what it is, and with something like this they reach out."

Aiden's fight is over now, but in his short time here on Earth he managed to touch so many - a little kid from South Jersey who won the hearts of firefighters around the world.

Washington Twp. Fire Commissioner Jim DeMore explains, "He had a smile on his face every day, and he really did a great job of bringing everybody together. He inspired all of us."

Aidan is survived by his parents, four brothers and sisters, and an extended family including the firefighters who lined their trucks up today to escort his hearse to the cemetery.

One last ride for a little boy with endless bravery who became one of their own.