Vigil held for fallen Appleton firefighter

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APPLETON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Appleton was filled with mourning Thursday. From a procession to a memorial, and finally a vigil for fallen firefighter Mitchell Lundgaard.

“Now we’re just a little over 24 hours out from the incident," Appleton Police Chief Todd Thomas said entering the vigil. "There’s a lot of pain, a lot of anger, a lot of questions.”

The investigation continues into Lundgaard’s death. Community members say all they can do now is come together.

"I think it helps to show there’s still compassion and hearts in the valley,” said Tami Sankey on her way into the vigil

The vigil was held at the Appleton church “The Core.” Pastor Mike Novotny says the community is still in shock.

“You hear stories about this all the time, but you never think it’s going to happen in your backyard. It especially feels like big city issues, so to have like a family-knit community like Appleton. So I think people are reeling a little bit.”

Firefighters in other cities stepped up and filled in for Appleton firefighters so they would be able to hold the procession and mourn.

Chief Thomas said first responders can feel the community embracing them.

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