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Fallen firefighter honored

By Mark Harrison
The Times-Journal

Published October 5, 2009

Adam “Cody” Renfroe may be gone, but his name will live on, now etched in brick – a testament to a man who gave his life in the service of others.

Renfroe, 24, a member of the Crossville Volunteer Fire Department, was killed in the line of duty, while performing search and rescue operations at a residential structure fire nearly a year ago.

Several of Renfroe’s family members and fellow firefighters traveled this past weekend to the 28th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. where fallen firefighters from across the U.S., including Renfroe, were honored.

Crossville Fire Chief Danny White is one of those who attended the ceremonies, which included Renfroe’s name being engraved on a red brick on a walkway that leads to a memorial for fallen firefighters.

White said the weekend-long ceremonies also included a candlelight vigil, performances by honor guards from fire departments throughout the U.S. and the ceremonial presentation of the American flag. He said he presented the flag to members of Renfroe’s family.

“It was a good thing for us to go,” White said. “Of course, we’re still in the healing process ourselves. Cody gave us 110 percent. He was an outstanding young man. He loved being around people and trying to help people. His loss hurts me badly, still.”

He said some of Renfroe’s family members and former fellow firefighters plan to make the trip this weekend to another memorial service that will pay homage to Renfroe and other fallen firefighters, the Alabama Memorial at the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa.

Renfroe was among 98 men and five women, from 36 states, honored at the national service in Emmitsburg.

More than 5,000 people, including members of Congress, officials with the Obama Administration, other dignitaries, members of the fire service and families and friends of fallen firefighters attended the event.

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