Fallen Waynoka Firefighters Honored

After a deadly house fire last week, firefighters from around the state gathered in Waynoka over the weekend to honor two fallen firefighters.

Waynoka firefighter Tayler Bradford and Fire Chief Lonnie Bolar died after trying to rescue two people, Jim Jones and Mylinda Walker, trapped in a house fire on Jan. 29, both of whom also died.

Firefighters were invited to bring their fire trucks to the funeral service in honor of both firefighters. Multiple fire trucks lined up in a field near the funeral service. Both Geary and Watonga firefighters drove their trucks to the funeral.

“It’s definitely a tragedy across the whole state,” Watonga Fire Chief Robert Daugherty said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the department.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order on Friday declaring that all American and Oklahoma flags be flown at half-staff to honor the lives of Bradford and Bolar.

Geary Fire Chief Jeff Choate also commented saying that thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two firefighters.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Bradford’s family and has raised more than $20,000 from its original $10,000 goal.