ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Hundreds of first responders and loved ones showed up for Affton Fire Capt. James Cova Thursday, just as he showed up every day for them.
Dispatchers relayed one final call for Capt. James ‘Jim’ Cova.
“This is the last alarm for Affton Fire Protection District Capt. Jim Cova. Capt. Cova answered his last alarm on July 9, 2024 at the age of 54”
Cova was a devoted father, husband and lastly firefighter.
“He's one of my go-to guys, he was always willing to help me and help the fire district with whatever, whenever he could. Whatever was asked of him,” Affton Fire Chief Aaron Rhodes said.
His fellow firefighters say he was the calm in the storm, loved to laugh, loved Buc-ee’s and cared deeply for his community, both at home and at work.
“His love and compassion and knowledge for the job, are going to be truly missed. He is a role model that we all should aspire to be, Affton Firefighter-Paramedic Jimmy Cripps said.
Cova was escorted down Gravois Avenue by dozens of first responders from across the state to his final resting place in Affton.
People from the community lined the streets to pay their respects.
“It just shows what we do as a community to come together, no matter what part of the city or Missouri you're from. Everybody pulls together for our heroes, for our fallen heroes,” Affton resident Marian Chilton said.
Chilton said she was heartbroken to hear about the loss of Cova. She said she owes her life to the Affton Fire Protection District.
“I am so appreciative of all the work that the fire service and the police departments do. Ten years ago, I was dying of pneumonia. And if it wasn't for the Affton fire department and paramedics getting me to the hospital in time, I might have not made it,” Chilton said.
The ringing of the bell started their shift, and on Thursday, it rang one last time for Jim.
“His family was his world. And they were his wife, his daughters, his family, as well as his fire family. We were always in gatherings together. He was all-encompassing with the amount of love he would give,” Cripps said.
Cova was a firefighter for 28 years. His colleagues said he will never be forgotten.