A procession of law enforcement and emergency vehicles escorted the body of Richie Alford home to Northeast Georgia on Sunday. The retired Banks County firefighter who died last week while rescuing two swimmers in the Gulf of Mexico was given a hero’s welcome.
Friends and colleagues from multiple agencies provided Alford and his family an escort from LaGrange to Habersham County. They traveled up Interstate 85 to U.S. Highway 441 North near Commerce. From there, the procession traveled the last 22 miles to McGahee-Griffin and Stewart Funeral Home in Cornelia.
“It was an emotional procession with all of the departments and services that showed up. Very, very heartfelt,” says Habersham County Emergency Services Director Jeff Adams. “It kind of makes you feel good about bringing a brother home.”
Cars stopped and people stood at attention as the procession passed by along the route.
The Baldwin Fire Department suspended a massive American flag from its ladder truck over the Highway 441 Bypass. It waved in the breeze as the succession of three dozen vehicles escorting Alford’s body passed under it.
Virginia Webb of Clarkesville was among those who greeted the procession along Highway 365 in Cornelia. She waved an American flag and held high a sign that read, “Richie Alford, American Hero.”
He died helping others
Capt. Alford was vacationing in Panama City Beach on June 15 when he stepped in to help two distressed swimmers.
According to the Panama City News Herald, the rip tide in the Gulf of Mexico was strong. Double red flags were displayed along the coast, meaning the water was closed under penalty of a $500 fine. One beachgoer entered the water to help another who was struggling, the Herald reports. Alford then jumped in to assist both. The two survived, but Alford did not.
“We are devastated and heartbroken,” the Banks County Fire Department posted to social media when sharing the news of his death.
After retiring from the Banks County Fire Department two years ago, Alford opened Habersham Glass in Cornelia. His friends mourned the 52-year-old’s death, saying he was not just a coworker, “We lost a friend and brother.”
The department has organized a fundraiser to help support Alford’s family.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced sometime this week.
