Citizens asked to line streets for late fire chief on Saturday
Published 1:12 pm Thursday, November 4, 2021
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The citizens of Atmore are being asked to line the streets downtown for a procession honoring Fire Chief Charlie Rutherford, who passed away on Nov. 3.
Rutherford served as fire chief of Atmore for 44 years.
Some of his accomplishments include moving the fire department from volunteer to fulltime, adding an apparatus that helped lower the city’s fire insurance rating from a 9 to 4.
Rutherford helped create the Atmore Rescue Squad, trained many in the fire service and built the second fire station on South Pensacola Avenue.
Additionally, he rescued many people from burning buildings.
Rutherford’s funeral service will be held this Sat., Nov. 6, with visitation from 12:30 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Chapel on South Main Street.
Between 15-20 fire trucks from various departments will participate in the tribute procession to Oak Hill Cemetery.
Rutherford’s casket will be carried on the back of an open cab American LaFrance pumper.
The procession will begin approximately at 2:30 p.m.