The bell ceremony came near the end of a 2 1/2 hour service that drew more than 1,800 people to the Christian Faith Center in Federal Way.

They all had gathered to celebrate Packer's life. The 49-year-old died July 26 while surveying a wildfire in northern California for the U.S. Forest Service.

Gov. Chris Gregoire was among the speakers. She called Packer "both a visionary and a doer.

"All of us here today are shocked and saddened," she said. "God called him back so soon."

She recalled that she and Packer were together last month at the Washington Fire Chiefs Convention in Wenatchee. Packer, the outgoing president of the organization, decided the evening should be dedicated to the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Little did we know we were in the presence of a consummate hero," Gregoire said.

South Kitsap Fire Chief Wayne Senter, who took over the fire chiefs organization from Packer, said his predecessor was "a man who took action when a job needed to be done. He was extremely loyal to his ideals, his family and his friends."

Senter said he will always remember how Packer's "twinkle in his eye, his smile and bushy moustache could light up any room."

Earlier today, more than 150 firefighters, mostly from East Pierce Fire and Rescue, stood in front of their Bonney Lake headquarters station and saluted as the casket carrying their leader passed by.

An East Pierce district fire engine carried Packer's flag-draped casket past where the firefighters and a handful of Bonney Lake citizens stood to honor him. Packer’s family followed in a white limousine.

About 20 East Pierce fire engines and command cars fell in behind and made their way to the Puyallup Fairgrounds, where more than 170 pieces of equipment from around the state assembled.

Elise Hughes of Bonney Lake stood with her three sons, ages 3 to 8, across the street from the fire station.

“I wanted the boys to see who works for us and honor the man who started East Pierce Fire and Rescue,” Hughes said. “It’s important to teach at a young age to honor our firefighters.”

Linda Melvin, a 22-year resident of Bonney Lake, brought seven handheld U.S. flags and distributed them to those watching the procession.

“It’s been quiet around Bonney Lake,” she said. “There’s been a hush in the community since this happened.”

A larger procession, escorted by about 60 motorcycle officers, left the fairgrounds shortly after 11:30, bound for the church in Federal Way.