FOWLER, Colo. -- There were words of praise Friday for a volunteer firefighter who died in the midst of a prairie wildfire at Ordway.

"John Schwartz was one of a kind," said Jacques Wiggins, a friend of the victim. "He was one of the best friends that anyone could ever have."

Schwartz, and fellow Olney Springs firefighter Terry DeVore, died Tuesday when their fire truck plunged into a ravine following the collapse of a bridge on Highway 96.

Among those gathering in Fowler to say goodbye, at the United Methodist Church, were dozens of officers from the Department of Corrections and numerous firefighters from across the Arkansas Valley.

"Both men provided a great public service in their regular jobs as corrections officers," said Ari Zavaras, head of the Department of Corrections. "And they went that extra step, that many of us don't think about, when they joined a volunteer fire department."

Assistant Fire Chief Jack Hobby of the Fowler Volunteer Fire Department said, "It takes immense commitment for someone with a fulltime job to step forward and serve as a volunteer firefighter. John Schwartz did that for his community."

Wiggins presented a DOC badge and memorial flag to the victim's parents.

He recalled his last conversation with Schwartz the day of the fire.

"He asked me to go with him to the fire, but I had to go to work (at the DOC) and couldn't do it, or else I would have been there with him," Wiggins said.

Schwartz' remains were cremated at his own request and will be scattered in the mountains.

Another memorial service, in honor of both volunteer fire fighters, will be held at 10a.m. Saturday at the Crowley County High School in Ordway.

Gov. Bill Ritter has ordered that U.S. and Colorado flags be lowered across the state on Friday and Saturday in memory of John Schwartz and Terry DeVore.