RIP Scott Jones

We spent a good part of our weekend reporting on the huge public response to the tragic death of volunteer firefighter Scott Jones.

On Saturday, we actually did something we don't normally do.

We have a policy on covering funerals. In general, we don't do them. They are an extremely personal event, usually involving families in the throes of unspeakable grief.

That is in part because many of these incidents follow violent crimes or other heinous actions.

For the most part, we have covered these events extensively and we allow the families to have some privacy in their grief.

The death of Scott Jones was a little different.

He was killed in a car crash. No details on the accident have yet been revealed. It remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police.

Jones was a Marine and volunteer firefighter with several local volunteer fire companies, including Aston, Media and Newtown Square.

When it became apparent how big the scope of Saturday's funeral was going to be, we approached the family about the idea of covering the funeral. We assured them we did not want to be an intrusion, but indicated that Jones' death certainly touched the public and had a sparked a huge reaction.

If they had told us they did not want us there, we would have honored their request. Instead they welcomed us in.

The result was a front page on Sunday and a two-page package of story and photos inside.

Earlier in the week we had indicated the family's desire that those attending the funeral bring a toy to honor Jones' favorite charity, Toys for Tots.

Those toys then became part of an annual holiday toy run put on by the Delco Cruisers on Sunday morning.

Again, the depth of the public reaction proves a testament to how deep the death of Jones had struck.

Hundreds turned out Sunday morning for the toy drive.

Once again, we were there to chronicle the event.

I know that there are still more stories to come in this saga. I don't know if all of them will be positive.

I do know that this weekend we had an opportunity to honor a guy who did nothing but serve his community.

It felt pretty good.

RIP, Scott.

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