Family, friends and fellow firefighters turned out in force today to mourn the tragic loss of White Plains Deputy Fire Chief Edward Ciocca.

A procession began promptly at 1 p.m. at White Plains Hospital, where Deputy Fire Chief Ciocca died of complications due to COVID-19.

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The two-block procession made its way to Fire Department Headquarters on Mamaroneck Avenue where his mother, stepfather and other family members said goodbye. "It's so tragic and it stuns you, it raises all kinds of questions of why this could happen to this wonderful man.  Devastating in an appropriate description," says Ciocca’s stepfather Bill Ryan.

Hundreds of firefighters lined up behind the hearse in honor of the man, who had spent 34 years on the job. "Ed was a true professional, third-generation firefighter, a leader among men and he served our city," says White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.

Ciocca was planning to retire by the end of the year. "It's gonna be a big loss for the department, because he was a good friend, but also part of our family," says White Plains Fire Chief Richard Lyman.

The family says an outdoor viewing will be open to the public and held at McMann's Funeral Home on Mamaroneck Avenue on Tuesday at 1 p.m.