Local fallen firefighters honored at memorial service
- Chuck Thompson
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent
Shelby, Cleveland County – It was a time of somber remembrance at Shelby Fire and Rescue Friday at Noon, as The 2026 Cleveland County Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service honored local firefighters that gave their lives in Cleveland County while serving.
As the rain pour down from above, Firefighters and the public gathered from across the Cleveland County to honor the fallen brave, as the ceremony began with words of welcome from Shelby Fire and Rescue Fire Chief William Hunt. Drew Hughes led the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation and benediction were by the Chaplain of Shelby Fire and Rescue, Eric Davis.
The Honor Roll of the Fallen was read by Hank Tallent of the Fallston Community Volunteer Fire Department, Casey Alder of Shelby Fire and Rescue, and Freddie Jones of City of Shelby Utilities – Natural Gas.
Brayden Chapman called roll of the deceased, with the Firefighters Final Alarm Reading by Cleveland County Fire Marshal Josh Queen. The sounding of the Final Alarm was rung by Jason Ledbetter of Shelby Fire and Rescue and Taps was played by Josh Hamrick, also of Shelby Fire and Rescue.
(Honoring with roll call... news story continued below)
The names of those Fallen in the Line of Duty are as follows:
Fallston Community Fire Department: Carl A. Beam, December 24, 1977.
City of Shelby Fire and Rescue: Nathan C. Hall, George L. Magness, Donald E. “Gene” Melton and Floyd P. “Nick” Sharts, May 25, 1979.
City of Shelby Utilities – Natural Gas: Max P. Bowling.
“It’s such an honor to be here,” said Kelly Hastings, NC House District 110 Representative. “I remember in 1979 when the fire in Uptown Shelby happened; I graduated high school that year, and try to come to this event every year since then. It’s such a meaningful and emotional event that I’m thankful to be able to attend and pay respect to our brave firefighters that gave their lives in the service of others.”
Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser was also there to honor and remember the Fallen, stating to The Shelby Independent, “This a great event to recognize and remember our local heroes, “ said Chief Fraser. “I started my public service in the 90’s as a volunteer fire department, so this is special to me and just such an important event to never forget the sacrifice made here in Shelby and Cleveland County.”
Cleveland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kevin Gordon, who spent most of his professional life as a firefighter, also got out in the deluge of rain to attend the ceremony on Friday.
“Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it," he said. "We gather to honor those who have run - and those who will continue to run - toward the flames, so that others may walk away. Their courage lives on in every life they saved.”
Gordon continued, “Today, we stand in solemn gratitude to remember those who gave everything in service to others and to our communities. Their courage was unwavering, their duty steadfast. Though they are no longer by our side, their sacrifice remains a lasting beacon of honor and devotion. We will never forget them, and we will carry their legacy forward with humility, respect, and eternal remembrance.”
The names of those that passed way in the past year, both active and retired, were also spoken in remembrance during the ceremony. Those names are as follows:
Donald "Don" Charles Blanton, Shelby Fire & Rescue; Jake Wayne Bridges, Cleveland Volunteer Fire Dept.; Johnnie "J.B." Reed Caldwell II, Kings Mountain Fire Dept.; Steven Odis Costner, Number 7 Volunteer Fire Dept.; Thomas Paul Davis, Number 3 Volunteer Fire Dept; Charles Ray Doty, Shelby Fire & Rescue; Everette Franklin Grigg, Waco Volunteer Fire Dept.; Richard Edward Harms, Number 7 Volunteer Fire Dept.; Martha Louise Lee Howard, Polkville Volunteer Fire Dept.; Mickey Lee Humphries, Boiling Springs Fire & Rescue.; Earl Phillip Mace Jr., Cleveland Volunteer Fire Dept.; Gilbert Dale Patterson, Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Dept.; Robert "Bobby" W. Price, Shelby Fire & Rescue; Floyd Abel Queen Jr., Shanghai Volunteer Fire Dept.; Larry Garland "Gary" Ramsey, Lawndale Volunteer Fire Dept.; Hillery Anderson Rippy, Shelby Fire & Rescue.
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.
The Shelby Independent.
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