“Richie died doing what he loved, which was helping others in their time of need.”
That’s how friends and colleagues of retired Banks County Fire Capt. Richie Alford are remembering him after receiving the devastating news of his death.
Alford was on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when he went to rescue two distressed swimmers caught in a rip current Thursday afternoon. He did not make it back to shore.
“Today, we received a phone call that no one wants to get. We lost a friend and brother, not just a coworker,” the Banks County Fire and EMS Department said in a post on social media. “We are devastated and heartbroken.”
In an interview with the Panama City News Herald, Daryl Paul of Panama City Beach Fire Rescue said, “(Alford) jumped in the water to try and rescue two swimmers in distress, but unfortunately, he paid the ultimate sacrifice. When our units arrived on scene, he was submerged. … It was really tough conditions.”
Lifeguards pulled Alford ashore, and emergency medical crews performed CPR but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols says both of the swimmers that Alford went into the Gulf of Mexico to help, survived.
Alford retired from the Banks County Fire Department two years ago to open his own business, Habersham Glass, based in Cornelia.
Tributes to a ‘true hero’
Richie Alford’s colleagues called the 52-year-old from Lula, “a true hero.” They asked the community to pray for his family and friends in the days and weeks ahead.
Nichols told Now Habersham, “We’ll be back in town Sunday with his body.” McGahee Griffin and Stewart Funeral Home in Cornelia is handling Alford’s funeral arrangements. No details have yet been released.
A procession of firefighters will carry Alford’s body to the funeral home Sunday. It will travel from LaGrange to Cornelia along Highway 441 from Interstate 85 through Banks County. The procession should arrive in Cornelia around 3 or 3:30 p.m.
In addition to the honorary procession, the Banks County Fire Department is paying tribute to Alford with a fundraiser to assist his family. Banks County first responders have organized a memorial 5K and one-mile fun run for Saturday, July 22, at Banks County Primary School. They are now accepting online registrations.
All public safety participants are asked to wear their gear for the race in tribute to their fallen colleague.
“The goal of this day is to celebrate and remember the life of our friend and colleague. We want to support his family as much as possible, so all proceeds raised will be presented to the Alford family after the race.”
For more information about the race, visit Banks County Fire & EMS on Facebook.
