They run in to help, when everyone else runs away. And today hundreds of firefighters were honored at a special memorial service.

Stateline firefighters who died either in the line of duty or during retirement were honored in Beloit. The day started with a silent procession through the downtown area. Followed by a moving memorial service. Area firefighters say they've been lucky to have lost very few of their co-workers in the line of duty.

"That's where you have to go to school a lot and learn structure and how it is and the scene when is happening you could actually get them out in time," says Turtle Fire Chief Tim Huffman.

Various Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin firefighters took part in the day's events.