Lafayette firefighter honored after losing battle to cancer

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – The Lafayette community is mourning the loss of engineer Darion Blake Whetstone, who served Lafayette as a firefighter and his country as a soldier in the U.S Army.

Engineer Darion Blake Whetstone was 29 years old when he passed away on May 27 after battling cancer. Not only was he known as a force to be reckoned with, but his dedication to serving others was unmatched. Alton Trahan with the Lafayette Fire Department says, "It was quite obvious that service was his calling."

Whetstone served the City of Lafayette for nine years as a firefighter and four years enlisted in the United States Army. While serving with the fire department, Whetstone was diagnosed with cancer. However, this diagnosis did not stop him. He continued to fight and show up for his loved ones and his community. "The fact that once he was diagnosed, he still worked for some time as long as he could until he had to seek treatment," says Trahan. He also says it says a lot about whetstone as an individual.

While enlisted in the army, Whetstone completed multiple tours in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan as a U-H-60 Black Hawk crew chief. Whetstone is described as someone who put others above himself, and is membered for his character, bravery, and overall dedication. Trahan says whetstone was stationed at station 8 in Lafayette and his fellow crewmembers regarded him with the utmost respect. He says it's very hurtful to lose him at on 29 years old.

The Lafayette Fire Department honored whetstone with a full firefighter's funeral at Martin and Castille in the presence of his family, friends, and community.

Latest Stories