JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Hundreds of Madison and Janesville firefighters paid tribute to a fallen fire lieutenant and his wife at a joint funeral in Rock County on Friday.

While some Madison firefighters attended the service, their comrades from around Wisconsin responded to take the places of those in mourning, WISC-TV reported.

The funeral was to honor Lt. K-Tal Johnson, a rescue diver and a member of Madison's Technical Rescue Team, and his wife, Shelly. The couple lived in Milton, and friends and relatives described them as active in their community and very dedicated parents.

The service was held at the First Lutheran Church in Janesville, and Madison's Memorial Pipe Band led a crowd of 1,200. The band's bag pipes played over and over again the hymn "Amazing Grace" to the rat-a-tat-tat of drums. Behind the pipers, came what seemed to be a never-ending line of firefighters. Attired in their best dress uniforms, they took positions on either side of the front walk leading to the church doors, WISC-TV reported.

"The brother and sisterhood is very, very evident," said Eric Dahl, public information officer for the Madison Fire Department.

The Johnsons grew up in Janesville and were high school sweethearts. They were both very proud parents of 13-year-old son, Ian. K-Tal Johnson first served as a firefighter in Janesville, and several hundred of those who served with him from Rock and Dane counties were on hand to say goodbye.

Back in Madison, Lt. Laura Agostini was helping hold down the fort at Station One during the service.

"Myself, I went to the visitation yesterday so I'm here working for a person on the honor guard, but it's much appreciated that our fellow firefighters are helping us as they would help the public," Agostini said.

"The fellow firefighters came to Madison from around the state to cover for those attending the funeral. Members of the Janesville Dive Team were at Station One, where water rescue is based, while members of Milwaukee's Hazardous Materials Team manned Station 6 on Badger Road because that is where Madison's haz-mat response is housed.

"The mission is the same." said Janesville firefighter John McManus, who was pitching in at Station One.

"We're all dedicated to helping other people, and normally we help the public. This time, we're helping someone we have a common goal with," said Janesville firefighter Ted Flynn.

The Johnsons died after a car crash in Indiana during the Christmas holidays. The family was visiting relatives. Shelly Johnson was at the wheel when their vehicle rear-ended a semi. The couple was killed, but their son Ian was in the backseat and survived, suffering only scratches and bruises.

The boy's upbringing will likely to be in the hands of K-Tal's best friend's family, Janesville firefighter Todd Herrington. Herrington and K-Tal were like brothers both committed to a service that is like family, WISC-TV reported.

During the service, as the city of Madison's fire engine No. 1 made its way from the church to the cemetery, the seat usually filled by K-Tal Johnson was occupied by his son Ian.