CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. --
Is was somber day for members of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Thursday as firefighters and their families and friends paid tribute to the 16 members of the department who have died in the line of duty since 1969. This annual event started in 2007, when firefighters Matt Burton and Scott Desmond were killed in the line of duty.
Fire Captain Tony Miller says the ceremonies are important because all fire fighters share a special bond and are members of the same family.