Farewell, chief: Firefighter, father, friend remembered

AMERICAN FORK — A few yards away from the flag-draped casket of Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Mike Penovich, a firefighter in full gear walked slowly into a wall of water, clutching only an ax as a symbol of protection.

The vision of the firefighter's comrades kneeling on the ground — watching him willingly leave — marked the reverent farewell of Penovich, who, at his funeral on Friday, was described as a beloved brother, chief, father and friend.

"His heart was as big as his physical stature," Penovich's LDS bishop, Russell Thelin, said to hundreds of people gathered to mourn Friday in the Alpine Tabernacle, 110 E. Main, American Fork. "People talk about how comfortable they were when Mike was there on a fire, and how big a gap is left, not having him there on the other end of that radio call. He always had it together. He always knew what was going on, what needed to be done, where things were and any number of things."

Several people spoke of Penovich's great enthusiasm for humor and his dogged commitment to service. The 38-year-old husband and father of two was often called away from his home to fight fires, but he served willingly, his friends said.

"I'm grateful for the stories that were shared about his service as a firefighter," said Scott Kahn, a Saratoga Springs city councilman and family friend. "He provided so much service, not only as a firefighter, but as a neighbor, as a ward member and as a brother."

Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, a former Utah County commissioner who was invited by Penovich's family to speak at the funeral because of his connection to the county, said Penovich was the kind of man people should choose as a role model.

"Sometimes we celebrate the wrong things," Herbert said. "We are in need of heroes, we have a need for role models, and I appreciate Mike because ... he is the kind of role model I would want my grandchildren to look up to and say, 'I want to be like Mike.'"

Penovich died July 5 when a truck he was driving careened off a cliff and crashed into the Deer Creek Reservoir in Provo Canyon. Police officials say they do not know what caused Penovich to veer off the road.

At the time that he crashed, Penovich was heading back to Saratoga Springs from Heber after checking on a water tanker the city was considering purchasing for the fire department. Because Penovich died in the line of duty, while on errand for the city, the fire chief was honored with an elaborate ceremony.

"Chiefs don't die," said Provo Fire Capt. Debby Honeycutt, who helped organize the ceremony. "That's not the way it is, so for him to go, this is a state event. It's not a local event."