Roy Dale Smith III of McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company, William David Lee Jr of Virginia Beach Fire Department, Edward Spencer Mizell of Portsmouth Fire Department and Cecilia Turnbough of Dale City Volunteer Fire Department were honored for their sacrifice of giving their lives in the Line of Duty at Virginia Fallen Firefighter's Memorial on June 6 at the RIR Complex on Laburnum Avenue.
Roy Dale Smith III, October 18, 1991-November 7, 2008
Smith served not only with McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company but was a junior member of Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company. Smith died in an accident in his personal vehicle, while responding to a structure fire in McGaheysville.
The dedicated firefighter understood how a fire victim felt, he was a burn survivor himself.
As a three-year-old Smith received a burn injury. He attended the Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp in Rockingham County and had the goal of returning as a counselor.
Smith followed in the footsteps of his father who was a volunteer firefighter.
Smith was active in the Future Farmers of America and Skills USA. He was a junior at Spotswood High School.
William David Lee, Jr., November 12, 1949-August 5, 2008
Lee valiantly served in Virginia Beach Fire Department. Affectionately known as "Duke" he succumbed to cancer on August 5, 2008. He spent the greater part of his career serving on "B" shift at Stations 2, 21 and 11. His final assignment was Company 6 "C". He medically retired on June 30, 2008.
He was well known for his love of food and his kind heart, always willing to help others and his dedication to family both at home and in the fire service.
Edward Spencer Mizell, passed in 2007
Mizell became employed with the City of Portsmouth on December 29, 1959. He tried various occupations before finding his true calling-the fire service. He held positions at the City Garage, City Assessor's Office and even the Police Department but it was the fire service that claimed his heart and on October 14th, 1963 his journey as a career firefighter began.
