ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Responders and neighbors across western North Carolina came together to honor a fallen hero, Battalion Chief Tony Garrison.

Officials confirmed on Sept. 27 that Garrison died in the line duty rescuing others during a mudslide caused by Helene. Garrison's nephew Brandon Ruppe was also killed.

Garrison served on both the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department and Garren Creek Fire Department. 

On Tuesday, the Fairview Volunteer and Garren Creek Fire Departments held a final salute for Garrison, honoring his service to the mountain community.

Fire, police and medic agencies across the area participated in the honorary procession, giving their final farewells and respect for Garrison's service.  

Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department Chief Vince Carter described Garrison as a person everyone could always count on. 

"I've known him my entire fire service career," Carter said. "He worked part-time with us. Tony was a good man, we loved to be around him. It speaks highly of him how he dedicated himself to the fire service. [It means a lot] everybody showing up and taking time out of their schedules to come out and support Tony and his family plus the Fairview and Garren Creek departments because they need our support more than anything. They've been hit hard the past few weeks."

Neighbors and community members stood near Charlotte Highway in Asheville as the salute took place. 

Among the crowd stood Fairview resident Jennifer Johnson. 

Johnson has worked at Angelo's Family Restaurant in Fairview for over 20 years. 

"That's actually how I met Mr. Garrison," Johnson said. "He was a beloved community member. He was like a brother to me. He was always there to help you in any situation, whether it be small or big. He will be truly missed. It devastated me, it broke my heart to hear he was one of the first fatalities I had heard of in my community. He perished doing what he did-  saving lives, his nephew as well. Obviously, God needed him up there to watch over all of us now."

"One of the things I'm going to miss the most about Tony is his hugs. Every time he come in the restaurant, whether I was his server or not, he always come up, gave me hug, and when he left he told me, 'I love you, mean it.' [He said it to] me and my daughter. He's known my daughter since she was 3, she's 30. "

Johnson says this procession is one way of showing Garrison's service and legacy will never be forgotten. 

"Just to show our support for him and the family and our firefighters. The firefighters have had such a devastating last four months, from car wrecks to house fires to this devastating flood, like they can't get a break. Now they've lost one of their dearest battalion chiefs, it's hard. It's hard on our whole community. Just always remember him, 'Bones' as they liked to called him. He was a great guy all around," Johnson said. 

Garrison's funeral service will take place Wednesday afternoon in Fletcher, North Carolina. 

The Garren Creek Fire Department confirmed 13 people in the Fairview community died due to Helene.