Spokane Fire Department firefighter Capt. Mike Rose faints during a public memorial service for fellow firefighter John Knighten, who died on June 30, from a work-related cancer. Rose was a pallbearer tasked with helping move Knighten’s casket from the back of a fire engine parked outside the Spokane Convention Center, July 8. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians who were attending the service quickly came to the aid of the veteran firefighter, including Brian Schaeffer, assistant fire chief, bending over Rose to the right. (SR photo: Colin Mulvany)

On July 8, longtime Spokane firefighter John Knighten was laid to rest in Spokane at a funeral attended by hundreds of firefighters. One of Knighten’s pallbearers, firefighter Mike Rose, walked with the coffin as flag-bearer, a folded American flag against his chest. Suddenly, Rose collapsed next to the coffin. Spokesman-Review photographer Colin Mulvany caught the look of shock and concern on the faces of the other pallbearers and on the face of Brian Schaeffer, assistant fire chief, who rushed over and thought: “Mike is dying, and it’s happening with an audience of several hundred of his friends and colleagues.” Rose did not die. The photograph of his collapse did not run in the newspaper, because the focus of the coverage was Knighten, a beloved firefighter, felled by cancer at 45. But the photo of Rose collapsing – and the concern surrounding him – captured our imagination. Who is this guy? How is he doing now?/Rebecca Nappi, SR. More here.

Question: Have you ever fainted?

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