Firefighters escort late colleague's daughter to her graduation just 2 days after his sudden death

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By VT

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A team of firefighters has escorted the daughter of a late colleague to her graduation two days after his tragic death.

According to KABC, 44-year-old Agua Dulce specialist Tony Carlon was shot and killed by another coworker in an incident in his workplace on Tuesday, June 1.

Take a look at this emotional footage of Joslyn's graduation: 

One of Carlon's three daughters, Joslyn, was due to graduate from Saugus High in Santa Clarita, California, in a ceremony held at the College of the Canyons.

And after her dad tragically died before her big day, Joslyn was supported at the ceremony by nearly 300 firefighters, who lined both sides of the event's entrance in place of her dad.

The firefighters sheered and applauded her as she walked across the stage wearing her father's fire jacket to receive her diploma.

Commenting on the gesture in a later interview with The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Battalion Chief Nick Berkuta stated: "On Tuesday, we lost a beloved member of our family.

"His daughter is graduating today from Saugus High, and we as the Fire Department family are here in place of Tony, because he can't be here."

Meanwhile, Fire Department Captain Chris Reade stated:

"We're here to make sure that she knows we're all thinking about her. We found out last night.

"Email goes fast, and we all dropped everything we were doing in our personal lives and came down here to show our support."

Per Associated Press, Carlon, a 20-year veteran of the department, was shot by 45-year-old fellow fire specialist Jonathan Tatone, who appeared at the station while off duty, and opened fire, killing Carlson and wounding another 54-year-old fire captain.

Tatone then fled the scene, driving to his house and setting it on fire. Local law enforcement immediately rushed to the burning building, where they found Tatone dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In a later press statement, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Brandon Dean commented on the incident by stating: "Together with all Californians, we mourn the tragic and senseless loss of a brave and dedicated firefighter and community leader whose selfless service will not be forgotten."

Featured Image Credit: Pexels/RODNAE Productions