• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Family

Boy rides to 1st day of kindergarten on fire truck, just as his late dad wanted

0:36
Boy rides to 1st day of kindergarten on a fire truck, just as his dad wanted
Courtesy Jessica Brooks
ByNicole Pelletiere
August 16, 2018, 8:03 AM

A kindergartner rode to his first day of school in style fulfilling the wishes of his late father.

Last week, Cooper Brooks, 5, arrived in a fire truck alongside dad Christopher Brooks' colleagues from the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department.

Christopher Brooks, a father of three and volunteer firefighter, died May 7 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Cooper Brooks, 5, was escorted to his first day of school on a fire truck from the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department where his father was a fireman.
Christy Marie Photography
Cooper Brooks, 5, was escorted to his first day of school on a fire truck from the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department where his father was a fireman.
Christy Marie Photography

The elder Brooks' father had taken him to his first day of school in a fire truck, and he wanted to do the same for Cooper.

"He never forgot it, and his friends thought it was so cool that he and his twin brother got to ride the fire truck to school," Jessica Brooks, of Sullivan County, Tennessee, told "Good Morning America." "He hoped we could make that happen for Cooper."

Cooper Brooks, 5, was escorted to his first day of school on a fire truck from the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department where his father was a fireman.
Courtesy Jessica Brooks

On Aug. 9, firefighter Ty Wallace and assistant fire chief Josh Kemp escorted Cooper to kindergarten.

"I jumped at the chance because I feel we are all one big family," Kemp told "GMA." "We were in the truck just filled with joy."

Cooper Brooks, 5, rode a fire truck to his first day of kindergarten just as his late father, fireman Christopher Brooks, wanted.
Courtesy Jessica Brooks

Christopher Brooks "would've been extremely proud of that moment," Kemp added.

Jessica Brooks said her son was smiling ear-to-ear.

Cooper Brooks, 5, seen in August 2018 on his first day of kindergarten with assistant fire chief John Kemp, who brought him to school that day.
Courtesy Jessica Brooks
Cooper Brooks, 5, was escorted to his first day of school on a fire truck from the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department where his father was a fireman.
Courtesy Jessica Brooks

"It melted my heart just to see my husband's wishes being fulfilled, and just remembering him how much it meant to him," she said. "Cooper is able to extend that memory. It's bittersweet."

Up Next in Family—

NeeDohs are the new viral toy: What to know

April 16, 2026

Doctor delivers 2 sets of twins on his 34th birthday

April 14, 2026

'Duck Dynasty' star Sadie Robertson Huff opens up about 8-month-old daughter's choking incident

April 13, 2026

Wife remembers husband who died saving kids from rip current

April 8, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News