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For good reason, firefighting is seen by many as a noble profession. 

On the morning of Monday, August 5, thanks were given in return. 

Members of the Winchester Fire Department were recognized for their dedication to a man with an intellectual disability going by the name Jimmy S. – whose last name was asked to be concealed – after the man passed away on July 24. 

“I want to come out here and personally thank you guys for what you do,” said Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed. “That means a whole lot.” 

Following Jimmy’s death at age 60, Mayor Reed received a letter from Megan Rhinehimer, a Senior Area Manager with Dungarvin. 

Among other goals, as listed on its website at https://www.dungarvin.com/services/intellectual-developmental-disabilities/, Dungarvin “believes that helping a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve his or her potential improves the quality of life of the entire community.” 

Reading the letter from Rhineheimer, Mayor Reed spoke to staff members at Station 3, located at 1100 Fortune Drive. 

“The kindness the firefighters at Station 3 showed to Jimmy and our other participants is beyond words. Kindness is not always something our individuals experience as they are seen as different to those that do not know them,” she read. “The firefighters accepted him as one of their own with unwavering kindness and compassion.” 

While acknowledging that different platoons have acted over time, Rhinehimer recognized certain personnel, including Lieutenant Brad Snyder, firefighters Chris Crockett, Robert Dulaney, Noah Whaley, and Lieutenant Johnathon Beam. 

Yet there’s more to be mentioned. 

Following Jimmy’s passing, Clark County Coroner Neal Oliver recognized his love for the occupation. 

Thus, he helped ensure that he was buried as he’d like to be, in conjunction with many others, including Winchester Fire Department Chief Chris Whiteley  . 

Jimmy’s casket was red, consistent with the color of fire engines. 

Perhaps most notably, he was distributed with and buried in a Class A uniform. 

“That’s the ultimate [uniform] that you want to send somebody out with,” Oliver said, noting that a Class A uniform includes a coat, hat, white shirt, badges, buttons, and more. “They still considered him a brother…we’re always family.” 

As a former firefighter himself, Oliver found satisfaction in the kind gesture. 

“[There’s] great pride, and it made his family so proud,” Oliver said. “From his waking moment to when he went to bed, he wanted to be a firefighter.” 

Asked how she wanted Jimmy to be remembered, Rhinehimer added that there are multiple ways. 

“It’s tough to pinpoint one thing about him,” she said. “He loved everybody, and everybody that…got to know him loved him just as much.”