The Fourth Street Bridge over Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene was packed Tuesday morning with people waving flags awaiting the arrival of a procession for two fallen firefighters. 

Among them were Leonard and Karen Moglia. 

“We’ve lived here a long time,” Karen said. “We’re like family, whether we know each other or not. It’s still community and it takes all of us to make that community work and make it better.” 

Gail Jensen of Hayden said when she heard firefighters had been shot Sunday, she was saddened. So, she wanted to show her support for first responders. 

“Give them the love and encouragement they need to continue to do their work for our country,” she said. 

Thousands of people, many waving flags, lined Interstate 90 from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene as battalion chiefs John Morrison and Frank Harwood were returned home to Coeur d’Alene. Overpasses were jammed. Some pulled over on the shoulder of the highway to watch the procession of emergency motorcycles, police cruisers, ambulances, fire trucks and a hearse.

On Fourth Street outside English Funeral Chapel, hundreds more waited for the arrival of the procession. Others lined downtown streets.

Chris Way, fire chief of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, was moved by the response. 

“Nothing could mean more to us right now,” he said. “Knowing the community is 100% behind us and loves us and supports us is truly amazing.” 

Many waited at Pointe Parkway in Post Falls for more than an hour despite temperatures in the 80s.  

A giant flag borrowed by CDA Concrete and Pumping from the Hayden Super 1 Foods billowed gracefully among the heads of those in attendance. 

Sysco employees handed out water to others who were feeling the heat during the wait before the procession came through at 11:25 a.m. 

Suzanne Scheidt brought Gracie the therapy dog to offer comfort to anyone who needed it.  

“She’s a good hugger and some things are just easier when there’s a dog,” Scheidt said. 

Chris Edwards of Sysco said most of their operations were paused or shut down for anyone who wanted to be there. 

“A moment like this brings us all together,” Edwards said.  

Edwards remembered Harwood coming through Sysco for inspections. 

“He was a good guy,” Edwards said. “This is pretty messed up, firefighters are just doing their job.”  

Morrison of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Harwood of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue were shot and killed in what is being called an ambush while responding to an intentionally set fire Sunday at Canfield Mountain. Coeur d'Alene firefighter Dave Tysdal, 47, was wounded and remains at Kootenai Health. 

The shooter was found dead hours later on Canfield Mountain after exchanging fire with law officers. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said he killed himself. 

Coeur d’Alene firefighter Eric Loney said he cried seeing the wave of support as the procession traveled the 30 miles along I-90. 

“It's unbelievable. You can’t explain it. This whole thing, it’s hard to find the words for it,” he said. 

The deaths of Morrison and Harwood left firefighters confused, angry and overwhelmed, Loney said. 

“It's unreal it happened here and this happened to my brothers. But the community is why we do what we do. Their reaction and their support has been indescribable. We’re so grateful."

Shelley Stockdale of Hayden stood along I-90 holding a flag. 

“It's very important for us to all get behind our first responders," she said. "This is our community and we stand strong."

Bob Dorn of Coeur d’Alene, joining the crowd by the Fourth Street bridge, moved to Coeur d’Alene 13 years ago and loves it. 

“What a lovely, lovely place,” he said. 

Dorn said he has taken his grandchildren to fire stations, where they met firefighters.

"You know these guys,” he said. “These guys put their lives on the line all the time."

Tim Wheeler said Morrison was his neighbor for 14 years and was a good man. He said most people on their street replaced outside white light bulbs with red light bulbs to let the Morrison family know they are loved. 

Wheeler pointed to a firefighter and called him a hero. 

"That’s a true American hero. Every day they wear a uniform, but should be wearing a cape, in my opinion. It’s selfless, what they do," he said.

Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Capt. Jake Bieker said the turnout Tuesday “means everything to us right now. 

"We’re struggling mightily," he said. "The support by the community is what helps us stay afloat.”