Hundreds of mourners gathered Thursday at St. Thomas More Church to say goodbye to Somerset Fire Chief Scott Jepson.
The 54-year-old died unexpectedly at his Dighton home Jan. 2, leaving behind his wife of 16 years, Angelina Jepson, and son, Ian.
As a bagpiper played, pallbearers carried out the red casket as honor guards and firefighters who served under the 27-year Somerset Fire Department veteran, as well as those from throughout New England, gathered in front of the church to pay tribute to Jepson.
The fire chief’s family and friends huddled as the casket was placed into the hearse and taken to Nathan Slade Cemetery in Somerset.
Before the funeral, dozens of firefighters, emergency workers and police officers filed into the church, standing shoulder to shoulder at attention down the aisle as the coffin, draped in white, was carried to the altar near Jepson’s turnout gear and fire helmet.