WEST SALEM, Ohio — The West Salem community gathered Friday to remember the life of firefighter Philip M. Wigal, a lieutenant with the Town & Country Fire District, who died this week after he was struck while working at the scene of a crash along I-71 in Wayne County.
Funeral services began at 10 a.m. inside the Wooster Church of the Nazarene.
“I am so grateful to be your mama, Philip," his mother said in her closing statements while honoring her son. "I will love you forever and always.”
We streamed live coverage of Lt. Wigal's funeral, which you can watch in the player below:
His funeral then traveled to West Salem Cemetery for a graveside service.
A GoFundMe campaign is underway to raise money in his honor. You can make a donation HERE.
“With the recent line of duty death of Lt Wigal, there has been a calling from the community requesting somewhere to make donations that will be given directly to his wife and daughters,” according to the GoFundMe page. “At the family's behest, we as a district have created this fund for just that purpose. His impact on all he came into contact with has been felt across this community as well as the nation. The support his friends, family, and fellow firefighters have received is difficult to put into words. Thank you to each and every one of you that have reached out in this hour of tragedy.”
Their goal of raising at least $10,000 was surpassed in less than one day after it was launched earlier this week. It has since generated more than $31,500 in donations as of 7:30 a.m. Friday.
"Phil was a devoted family man to his wife Lindsay and two daughters," said Town & Country Fire District Chief Adam Hory. "He came from a tight-knit family."
Lt. Wigal began his career with the department in August of 2005 as a part-time firefighter. He was then promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2011. He was then hired to work full-time in May of 2014.
Authorities say the situation started around 3:14 p.m. Monday as authorities responded to I-71 South near Route 301 for a minor-injury crash. At 3:59 p.m. as first responders were completing documentation at the scene, a southbound commercial vehicle struck the left rear of the fire engine.
Lt. Wigal and a trooper -- identified as 37-year-old Steven Hill -- were both struck. Lt. Wigal died at the scene. Trooper Hill was transported from the scene with non-life threatening injuries.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- RELATED: GoFundMe raising money in memory of firefighter struck and killed on I-71: How you can donate
- RELATED: 'In our hearts forever': West Salem honors firefighter Philip Wigal after he was struck and killed along I-71 in Wayne County
- RELATED: OSHP: Firefighter killed, trooper injured after being struck at I-71 and Route 301 in Wayne County
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on April 12, 2022.