The body of 43-year old Marine Staff Sergeant Christopher Slutman was transferred on Monday, April 22, 2019 from Dover Air Force Base to New York City in a police escorted processional across three states.

Body of Marine and FDNY firefighter Christopher Slutman transferred from Dover to NYC

Slutman and two other members of his Massachusetts-based Marine Reserve unit were killed on April 8, 2019, in a roadside bombing outside of Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

Slutman, whose family lives in Brandywine Hundred, is also a 15-year decorated member of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY). 

He was also a life member of the Kentland, Maryland, Fire Company.

Firefighters and first responders from up and down Delaware and Delaware County, Pennsylvania, lined the bridges and overpasses along the processional route from Dover to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Civilians, and current and former members of the military joined with the firefighters in waving American flags and paying tribute to the fallen Marine as the processional made its way up Route 1 to interstates 95 and 295.

"We certainly appreciate his service to our community and to his country, and we're here to show support for his family," New Castle County paramedic Laura DiRusso said as she stood on the Route 299 overpass in Middletown.

Nearby stood Middletown Police Chief Robert Kracyla, whose son is in the military and has been deployed to Afghanistan several times.

"So, it's very, very personal to me as well," Kracyla said.

Nearby on the Pole Bridge Road overpass, Julia Graden of Newark said the Slutmans lived in her neighborhood until they moved to North Wilmington. She recalled Christopher Slutman apologizing to her for breaking into her house when the fire alarms started to sound.

"He knew we had animals, so what does his instinct do? He goes right into the house and makes sure the house is clear and everybody was safe," Graden said. 

She believes the loss is being felt throughout the small state of Delaware.

"We all honor our heroes," Graden said. "He was a special hero."

Funeral services later this week in New York will be followed by Slutman's burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Slutman is survived by his wife and three children.