Reporter Christine Byers wrote a moving narrative in Sunday’s Post-Dispatch of fellow firefighters’ support for Ryan Hummert, the firefighter who was shot and killed on duty July 21 in Maplewood. If you missed it, take a few minutes to read it on STLtoday. (”He was never alone.” Page D1, Sunday.)

The Multimedia channel on STLtoday also offers a slideshow by Robert Cohen, who reported Sunday’s story with Byers. Photos of the funeral also appear there.

Byers’ article stirred readers, and she shared a few email comments with her editor, Marcia Koenig. Here are a few excerpts:

“I’m in South Korea for a couple more months serving a year tour courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. I keep up on the happenings of my home town via stltoday.com. Today I was reading your story “Slain firefighter was never left alone”. I just wanted to let you know I found it very moving and very well written. Which is saying something considering I’ve been reading stories on the site for many years now and have never found one worthy of writing to the author.”

“Just finished your story on the firefighters caring for Ryan Hummert (July 27, Metro Section), and I just wanted to let you know that I think it’s a beautiful story of care, concern, and compassion, traits not seen often enough these days. It brought a tear to my eye (and that’s hard for this retired Air Force veteran of two wars to admit). Thank you for telling it.”

“Your reporting was absolutely beautiful. I do not get the St. Louis Post but read the online version. I cried through the whole story. You did a wonderful job, and I feel that people should be told when they do good.”

“I just read online the story you did for the fallen firefighter and I have to tell you it was the best written story ever. As I sat here reading tears fell freely. As a daughter of a firefighter this hit so close to home. I am no longer in Missouri as my husband is in the U.S. Army and we are stationed at Ft. Hood in Texas but I try to stay up to date with things back home. You wrote this story with such passion it felt like I was there the whole time at each shift change. My heart goes out to his parents and the surrounding communities. Firefighters take care of their own and your story shows just how much they do. Thank you for writing such a great and emotional story.”

“The article you wrote about the firefighter who was never alone was one of the most beautiful eulogy’s I’ve ever read. I am at work and I have tears rolling down. Perhaps you are or were a firefighter or are close to one or perhaps an excellent reporter. Thank you so much for making it so personal.”

“I just wanted to let you know that your article on the role of firefighters play in honoring a fallen member was amazing! What a wonderful way to honor service and bravery. Thanks for providing another look at this tragic event.”

“Absolutely one of the best news stories I have ever seen in the Post Dispatch. Awesome.”

“If you ever write anything better than your Sunday piece on the firemen staying with the remains of Ryan Hummert, I’d be surprised and I certainly would like to read it. It’s a terrific piece of writing that avoids the inherent risk of the maudlin but still has the power to move a clod to cry. Somehow I avoided that.”

Christine Byers was on a roll this weekend. On Saturday, she authored another powerful piece after an exclusive interview with Michael Martin, one of two police officers wounded at the scene when Mr. Hummert was shot. It too is worth going back to read on STLtoday if you missed it. (”Shooting softens hardened police officer.” Page A11, Saturday.)

Both articles define heroism.