Chicago Sun-Times reporters Lauren FitzPatrick, Stefano Esposito and Tina Sfondeles were on hand as the city laid hero firefighter Capt. Herbie Johnson to rest today.

FitzPatrick and Sfondeles covered the scene through words and images on Twitter. Click through to see their observations and a look at some of the responses and prayers offered up by Chicagoans paying respect to Capt. Johnson.

[View the story “Laying Chicago Fire Capt. Herbie Johnson to rest” on Storify]

Laying Chicago Fire Capt. Herbie Johnson to rest

Herbie Johnson was more than a firefighter. He was beloved. He was a hero. and he was mourned by hundreds on Thursday after being killed last week in a South Side fire. Reporters Lauren FitzPatrick and Tina Sfondeles were on hand to witness.

Storified by Chicago Sun-Times · Thu, Nov 08 2012 14:17:49

#ripherbieTaylor CravenFrom the reporting of Sfondeles and FitzPatrick

Hundreds gather to bid farewell to fallen firefighter, ‘a bully for love’ – Chicago Sun-TimesA sea of blue uniforms gathered under a slate gray sky Thursday morning as hundreds of firefighters from around the country joined the fa…Hundreds gather to bid farewell to fallen firefighter, ‘a bully for love’ – PhotoGallery – Chicago Sun-TimesA sea of blue uniforms gathered under a slate gray sky Thursday morning as hundreds of firefighters from around the country joined the fa…#RIPHerbie 79th street full of uniformed firefighters, police walking to the funeral.Lauren FitzPatrickMayor Rahm Emanuel arrives at funeral, shakes hands out front #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"I went to the station house, Tom,” mayor says to union prez. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickApparently stars of TV show Chicago Fire just went into St Rita’s. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickAward for farthest travel currently goes to gentlemen from Montreal #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickHow I knew I was walking the right way #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/3GAqKfiELauren FitzPatrick#mre here to offer condolences #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/N9JpzQgDLauren FitzPatrick#ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/A65s2IPqLauren FitzPatrickMayor. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/Ze4G56wpLauren FitzPatrickLining every pole and tree on S Western Ave near 79th #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/q2lvcoIFLauren FitzPatrickAwaiting hearse #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/8Lvr70wyLauren FitzPatrick"Officers, front of the line, let’s go! Drop the sunglasses, get rid of the smokes!” #RIPHerbie http://pic.twitter.com/pvMwtwFhLauren FitzPatrickHandmade posters with pictures of fallen firefighter Herbie Johnson lining St. Rita church. #RIPherbieTina SfondelesLining up now. Orders coming to fall in. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickA sea of Chicago firemen and police officers lined up outside the church. #RIPherbieTina SfondelesInside st Rita’s: handmade posters with family pics, including Herbie & sue celebrating their 25th anniversary in Ireland #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickInstructions being given now to lines of firefighters: when to stand at attention, when to dismiss #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickBagpipes started. Chatter silent now. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickOne poster full of pictures of Herbie and his wife Sue celebrating their 25th anniversary in Ireland. #RIPherbieTina SfondelesOutside. sorry, got no names yet. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/YPsRgjPZLauren FitzPatrickScene outside St. Rita. Bagpipes beginning to sound. #RIPherbie http://pic.twitter.com/OkBk0scyTina SfondelesFront lines holding flags, ceremonial axes #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickRow saved for Chicago Fire tv show out of respect to CFD. They’ve been consulting cast for months . #RIPherbieTina SfondelesThey’re here. Filing north on Western Ave. motorcycles, fire trucks, funeral procession. #ripherbieLauren FitzPatrickJohnson family arrives. Silence. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"Uniformed members attention!” And bagpipes. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickProcession approaches. Flags in front, flashing lights farther back. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"Uniformed members salute!” #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickSound of bagpipes outside now filling the church as mourners sit in silence. #RIPherbieTina Sfondeles#RIPHerbie brother in front line of bagpipesLauren FitzPatrickEngine 123 here now. Fetching casket from back of truck #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickOnly noise is rhythm of marching feet and an overhead chopper. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickCasket draped in Chicago flag going in #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickPiano plays inside as mourners file in #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickSound being piped outside for the rest of us who won’t fit. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"Come follow me and I shall give you rest,” #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"Uniformed members, fall out!” They hurry inside. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick#ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/gajmmHjfLauren FitzPatrick"I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have called you and you are mine.” #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickThe firefighters were lined up by battalion behind flags. Herbie’s was closest to steps to greet his family #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickCapt. Johnson’s fire helmet on front pew with the mayor, and CFD commissioners. #ripherbieTina SfondelesHerbie was a bully for love and life, his priest at St. Rita said. #ripherbieTina SfondelesMayor Emanuel to Herbie’s family: “your city is there for you.” #ripherbieTina Sfondeles"Our city was richer. Our city was greater because of Herbie Johnson,” the mayor says. #ripherbieTina SfondelesSome 5400 firefighters walked through viewing last night, priest says #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickThe Axemen are here from Detroit. Firefighter motorcycle club? #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickAxemen in from Detroit #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/1p9K55DhLauren FitzPatrickNew York firefighter just got one from LA a ride to bourbon st afterward #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickLining up again for the recessional. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/4GKnRMhgLauren FitzPatrickBell rung #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art” #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick"When Irish eyes are smiling sure they’ll steal your heart away” #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickRecessional #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/5dkgidroLauren FitzPatrick"Uniformed members, attention!” #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrick#ripherbie engine 123 http://pic.twitter.com/inI8tTFsLauren FitzPatrickExit mayor. #RIPHerbieLauren FitzPatrickCFD Commissioner Jose Santiago getting laughs and applause saying Herbie was there, saying “sucks to be you right now Jose.” #ripherbieTina SfondelesCapt. Johnson’s casket wrapped in Chicago flag, on his way to his final resting place, atop a fire truck. #ripherbie http://pic.twitter.com/QRHOmetCTina Sfondeles"Mom and dad, Herbie’s home"- his brother John says. #ripherbieTina SfondelesReactions and prayers from Chicagoans for Herbie

RT @Came2MARTY: Only true heroes get a wake and funeral like that #ripHerbiefiona haranHeroes are Remember, but Legends never Die #ripHerbieMark RobinsonRT @SaweetLee: I can only wish to receive a decimal of the send off Herbie just got #RIPHerbieJoe BRT @wheres_OSWALDo: So as we go from day to day and pray to God above, say a prayer for your local fireman- he may save the ones you love. #CFD #RIPHerbieColleen FashingRT @Chris_Crossxx: the amount of support at today’s funeral was unbelievable #ripherbie http://instagr.am/p/RyCOb3BoAy/fiona haranOnly true heroes get a wake and funeral like that #ripHerbieMarty NapletonCan’t believe how big the funeral was.#amazing #hero #RipherbieCharlie PientaRT @Mayor_Daly7: A fallen hero of the Chicago Fire Department #RIPHerbie #SouthSideHero #CFD http://pic.twitter.com/lkXRlYipBrian NeumannSo as we go from day to day and pray to God above, say a prayer for your local fireman- he may save the ones you love. #CFD #RIPHerbieTaylorRT @dhett2: After watching the funeral online I am so blessed to come from such a great family, friends, and community #RIPHERBIE #restinpeaceDelanie Garrett#CFD #RIPHerbieColin Michaelwestern avenue doesn’t get shut down for just anybody! #ripHerbieBobby Gallagher“@Sandylikeabeach: & moments like these are why I’m proud to be from the Southside #cfd #RIPCaptainJohnson http://pic.twitter.com/CvGy1uaz” RIPHerbieBecky Bernard RT @tr0picHANNAH: My heart goes out to the Johnson family. #RIPHerbie #truehero #CFDBrianna GyrionRT @l0UB_me_UP: when irish eyes are smiling #RIPHerbieCaityDidn’t know him, but still makes me cry. RIPHerbie http://pic.twitter.com/AKMhg3kVNancy EdwardsWatching the funeral online seeing everyone come together makes me grateful to be a part of such a great community #southside #RIPHERBIEJake ThomePrayers go out to the #cfd and friends/ family of Mr. Johnson #RIPherbieJames StillsonThat mass was just one of those had to be there moments #unreal #RIPHerbieJimmy SmolikMy heart goes out to the Johnson family. #RIPHerbie #truehero #CFDhannnnnah ludwigggg~#RIPHerbieKalin BurkeRT @NEUM_onia: I love seeing things like this #respect #cfd #RIPHerbie http://pic.twitter.com/NZneBzAmP.J. MurphyIts amazing how many people are here right now #cpd #ripherbieJake McGowan RT @Cowboywayne5: #RIPHerbieMaura Harringtonwatching some of the funeral coverage for the CFD captain killed last week in a fire. 🙁 RIPHerbieDani