MEMORIALS
This page is dedicated to our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their job. We value and appreciate their sacrifice and service to their communities and families. Gone but not forgotten.
To learn more, please visit the City of Alexandria Retired Police, Fire and Sheriff Association, Inc., (ARPFSA) website here.
LOCAL 2141 MEMORIALS
Briant K. Atkins
Died: July 6, 2023
Assignment: Engine/Hazmat 202 and 209
Retired Captain Briant K. Atkins passed away on July 6, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. “Goob” spent the majority of his AFD career at Engine/Hazmat 202 and then Engine/Hazmat 209 as a key member of the department’s hazardous materials team. A 33 year member of AFD, Brother Atkins will be remembered as a teacher, a mentor and a great friend to many. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Joshua A. Weisman
Died: February 9, 2012
Assignment: Medic 206
Paramedic Joshua A. Weissman sustained a fatal injury resulting in his LODD on 2/9/2012. Josh is remembered as a friend with an infectious smile and personality, a compassionate paramedic for each one of his patients, and dedicated educator that took tremendous pleasure in teaching others.
Joseph Underwood
Died: June 26, 2010
Assignment: Engine Co 2
Joseph (Joe) Michael Underwood spent 30 years as a loyal, dedicated member of the Alexandria, Virginia Fire Department, spending his later years at houses No. 202/203. Joe died in the line of duty from a heart attack. Joe extended his knowledge and became a member of the Alexandria HAZMAT team. He was also a 20+ year member of the Allentown Road V.F.D. Inc. Co. 32 in Maryland. He served with unselfish devotion to duty and had an open heart and patience that welcomed and befriended everyone he met. At the firehouse Joe enjoyed cooking for his brothers and sisters and when not at work he enjoyed running the roads on his Harley. Joe left this world exactly the way he worked and lived, peaceful, and when called upon.
Louis Farri
Died: May 21, 2002
Assignment: Station 201
Farri died in the line of duty from colon cancer.
Harry C. Moss III
Died: December 2, 1975
Assignment: Engine Co 6
Moss died in the line of duty from a heart attack while participating in on-duty physical fitness.
Roger W. Welker
Died: February 21, 1965
Assignment: Captain, Engine Co 5
Captain Welker died in the line of duty from a heart attack while fighting a fire from the top of an aerial truck.
Leo E. Moore
Died: March 26, 1958
Moore died in the line of duty from a fatal heart attack while firefighting at a factory.
Walter Beck
Died: May 26, 1951
Assignment: No. 2 Truck and Engine Company
Beck died in an electrocution accident at No. 2 Truck and Engine Company. Beck became a member of the volunteer fire department in 1941. In 1942, Beck joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1946. During his service, lasting through most of World War II, he served in both Europe and in the Pacific and earned the Purple Heart. After returning to Alexandria, Beck again joined the volunteer fire department and also worked as a paid firefighter at the Cameron Station Quartermaster Depot.
George S. Whalen
Died: February 20, 1925
Assignment: Relief
Whalen died in the line of duty from a fall during a ship fire. Known as the “baby of the fire department,” Whalen lied about his age to become a firefighter and was just 15 when he joined his brother and other firefighters on August 2, 1924, fighting a blaze on the Bellbrook, a wooden ship docked at the city’s waterfront, according to an account by the Alexandria Gazette. While fighting the ship’s blaze, Whalen accidentally fell from the ship and sustained life-threatening injuries. Whalen fought for his life for six months until his death from his injuries on February 20th 1925. “Death comes as sweet relief to [Whalen],” the Gazette’s front page told readers on February 21, 1925. “Whalen put up one of the most gallant fights against death ever known.”
George W. Petty
Died: April 16, 1911
Assignment: Fire Chief
Fire Chief Petty died in the line of duty from a heart attack en route to a fire.
George Plain
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Plain died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street. A three story building fire started on the 100 block of King Street in 1855. Seven firefighters of Company 4 were killed when a wall collapsed: David Appich, William Evans, Carson Green, Robert Taylor, James Keene, George Plain, John Roach.
Around midnight on November 11th, 1855, the city was alarmed by the cry of fire. Smoke and flames were issuing from the third story of the large brick warehouse on the north side of King Street, between Fairfax and Water streets. Upon entering the house, it was seen that it had been deliberately fired in several places. The firemen and citizens soon assembled in large numbers, and worked with the greatest energy and perseverance to arrest the progress of the flames. The fire was raging in the upper part of the building while firefighters were attempting to extinguish the flames. A wall collapsed and fell through two floors killing seven of our valued and respected citizens, and wounding several others.
Robert Taylor
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Taylor died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street.
John Roach
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Roach died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street.
James Keene
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Keene died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street.
William Evans
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Evans died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street.
J. Carson Green
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Green died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street.
David Appich
Died: November 11, 1855
Assignment: Star
Appich died in the line of duty along with six other firefighters from a wall collapse during a fire at the 100 block of King Street.
Charles Glasscock
Died: June 28, 1852
Assignment: Relief
Glasscock died in the line of duty from injuries sustained when hit by a hand-drawn fire engine.