Mississippi Chief Dies Doing What He Loved

April 14, 2008
Macon Chief Charlie Fraley was stricken at a fire scene on Saturday.

MACON, Miss. -- At 14, Charlie Fraley received a police escort when he drove the town's fire engine to calls.

When he fell short of breath while laying a line at a fire Saturday morning, a police officer took him to Noxubee General Hospital.

Fraley, the chief of Macon Fire Department for the past 27 years, died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The 65-year-old chief was one of the first to arrive for the fire at the county vo-tech center at approximately 6 a.m. Saturday, April 12. While helping to lay hose, he told another firefighter he was going to sit down because he couldn't get his breath, said. Assistant Chief Billy Whitehead.

A police officer took him to the hospital. An ambulance crew was on the scene. But, they were not in the immediate area at the time, possibly due to traffic.

Whitehead said he was notified of Fraley's death around11:30 a.m., just as he was declaring the fire under control.

"I stopped the operation for about 10 minutes, and called everyone together to tell them what happened. Although I told them they could go home, we kept on going. Some stayed until the fire marshal got there."

Of the 19 active volunteer firefighters, 18 turned out for the fire Saturday morning. "The one was thrown from a horse recently, and he couldn't come."

The crew managed to keep the fire from spreading from the shop area to other parts of the building.

Fraley promoted training, and insisted his firefighters be "at the ready," Whitehead said.

At 14, when he was asked by firefighters if he knew how to drive the 1950 Ford fire truck, Fraley showed them he could.

"He'd run down to the station, crank it up and the police would lead him there because he didn't have a license," Whitehead said, laughing. "Only in small town ..."

A few years later when he was old enough, he officially joined the fire department.

Fraley was well-known and well-loved in Macon, a town of 3,000. He was the son of a former mayor.

"He once jokingly asked how many kids would fit into the cab of the Pierce. I think he'd get 12 in there and take them around the block. He'd let them blow the siren. They had a blast."

Liability issues halted the rides around the block, but that didn't stop Fraley from cramming the kids into the cab. "They'd sit on the apron and blow the siren. That was just as much fun they said."

Fraley dearly loved the fire department, and spent countless hours working to keep things going.

"He was very dedicated. Everyone knows everyone here. This is small town USA," said Mayor Bob Boykin, who called Fraley a close friend.

Boykin said Fraley will be greatly missed.

Members of the Macon Fire Department have been asked to serve as pallbearers. Whitehead said he expects a large turnout for the funeral.

"He died doing what he loved."

Funeral Information

Visitation for Chief will be Monday, April 14 at his home from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. at Independent Methodist Church in Macon.

Please make all memorials to the Macon Fire Department, Macon City Hall, Attn: Pam Norris, P.O. Box 29, Macon, MS 39341.

Related Link:

Macon Fire Department History.

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