Updated 11-19-06
The Memorial Service for Firefighter Michael Timothy Browne of Acme-Delco-Rieglewood in Riegelwood, NC will be held on Wednesday at 2:00pm at the Riegelwood Baptist Church.

Riegelwood Baptist Church - map
101 Cornwallis Rd
Riegelwood, NC 28456
Tel: 910-655-3347

Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire and Rescue
100 John L. Riegelwood Road
Riegelwood, North Carolina 28456
Tel: 910-655-3380

Rieglewood – Mike Browne, 25 of Holly Tree Road, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2006, along with his dad and stepmother, Tim and Mary Mai, as a result of the Riegelwood Tornado Disaster.

Mike worked as an electrician by trade and volunteered with the Acme-Delco- Riegelwood Fire Rescue for two and a half years.

Mike is survived by his precious baby girl, whom he loved more than life; his mom and adopted father, Glinda and John R. Browne III; a brother, Ryan Browne; and his grandparents, John and Jean Browne, Elizabeth Jones and John Reintzel.

Funeral services with Fireman’s Honors will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Riegelwood Baptist Church. Interment will be held at a later date in Oleander Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations for Mike’s daughter be made to The Browne Fund, c/o Acme Delco Riegelwood Fire Department, 100 John Riegel Rd, Riegelwood, NC 28546.

Acme-Delco-Riegelwood (Columbus) *Firefighter killed by tornado* Firefighter Michael Timothy Browne was killed in yesterday's tornado. He had been a member for three yrs. His father and Stepmother were also killed; his three year old daughter has severe injuries.
FIRENEWS.NET

He was on his way to an emergency medical call when he encountered the tornado, and was killed.

RIEGELWOOD -- As some firefighters searched through the rubble looking for survivors they discovered one of their own had not survived. The flags at the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Department are flying at half staff.

It was as Acme-Delco-Riegelwood firefighters scoured the area, looking for signs of life, pulling survivors from the debris, they learned fellow firefighter Michael Timothy Browne had been killed by the tornado along Holly Tree road. They pushed forward. They had to.

Acme-Delco-Riegelwood VFD Chief Steve Camlin said, "It's hard. You have to get yourself and grip it. And it's overwhelming. It can be. But we still got our job to do regardless. We couldn't do anything for him, so we had to concentrate on his daughter."

Mike's three-year-old daughter suffered severe injuries but survived. His father and stepmother were killed. His chief says Mike was ready for the call to duty. He just couldn't get out in time.

"He was getting his clothes on and headed that way," Camlin said. "He was getting his family out and he was going to come to the station. All of them were dressed like they were getting ready to leave."

His fellow rescue workers say Mike was a dedicated firefighter and a devoted father. His little girl was found in a ditch, but was alive.

"He'll just rest knowing we do whatever we can to take care of his little girl. If we got any dealings with it, we'll take care of her. She's got family. She's got a little bit family left. I think he'll rest easy knowing we'll take care of her," Camlin said.

It's a time of mourning for Mike and the others who were killed. For the survivors, the long road to recovery has just begun. Many have no home to return to. A lot of people need a lot of help. But every little bit helps. And you can do just that through the American Red Cross.

Michael Timothy Browne was a volunteer firefighter with the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood department for three years. He wanted to become an emergency management technician. He took his test just last week.

Republished courtesy WWAY TV 3