Wilmington Firefighter Honored As Hero At Memorial Service

DELAWARE (CBS) -- A Wilmington firefighter and single mother of three who died last week from injuries suffered from a September row home fire was honored as a hero at her memorial service Saturday afternoon.

The casket of 48-year-old Arty Hope arrived on fire engine number five. More than a thousand paid their respects, there was a list of speakers, including Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Good who posthumously promoted senior firefighter Hope to the rank and grade of Lt.

"Lt. hope is assigned badge L third 36. Lt. Hope is the Wilmington's Fire Department's first African American female officer."

She was also awarded the departments highest honors, the metal of honor and the individual valor accommodation.

Vice president Joe Biden spoke by way of video link.

"God bless Arty Hope, God bless her family and may God bless the brother and sisterhood of firefighters," he said.

Lt. Hope was the third firefighter killed in the September 24 row house arson.