Members of the Smithfield Town Council and the audience at Tuesday night’s town council meeting gave the family of fallen firefighter Chris Daniels a standing ovation after Mayor John Lampe and Interim Fire Chief John Blanton present relatives a Proclamation memorializing Daniels.
Daniels died on August 17th at the age of 40 while working part-time at the Pine Level Fire Department. Chris had been a full-time firefighter with the Smithfield Fire Department since September 2003. He also worked part-time with the Thanksgiving and Selma Fire Departments.
The proclamation read in part, “Christopher Daniels made a positive impact on everyone with whom he came in contact. He was truly a remarkable firefighter, friend and employee that will be greatly missed by all.”
Chris graduated from Smithfield-Selma High School in 1993 and later joined the fire service. He served on the Governing Boards of the Selma Fire Department and Selma EMS. He also taught fire training classes at Johnston Community College. Chris was a member of the Branch Chapel Original Free Will Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School to third and fourth graders.
Chris was an Engineer/ Interim Captain on the Smithfield Fire Department.
Interim Smithfield Fire Chief John Blanton said, “Chris loved life, loved people, loved the church of the community he served. He was of very strong faith. He was extremely dedicated to his family, his church and this department.”
