The streets of Gilbert will see an outpouring of support and remembrance on Friday as the community honors a fallen first responder.
Memorial services for Fire Captain Scott Leatham, a dedicated Tempe firefighter who succumbed to a rare work-related cancer earlier this month, will begin at 10:30 a.m., according to a release from the city of Tempe.
Captain Leatham, who served with Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, passed away on Dec. 19 at the age of 39. His illness was determined to be linked to his work as a firefighter, highlighting the occupational hazards faced by first responders.
The memorial service will take place at Mission Community Church, located near Recker and Elliot roads in Gilbert. Following the church service, which is expected to conclude at 12:30 p.m., a funeral procession will escort Leatham to his final resting place at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, near Chandler Heights Road and Sunland Drive.
The procession will feature a significant presence of emergency vehicles, prompting rolling closures and temporary lane restrictions to manage traffic flow, officials said.
Emergency vehicles from non-Tempe departments will depart the church after the service and proceed to the cemetery, offering a final salute to a man who dedicated his life to protecting the community.
Captain Leatham’s legacy of bravery and service will be remembered by his colleagues, family, and the broader community.