Never Forgotten

On November 1, 2010, Lieutenant Richard "Rick" Drake #807, died in the line of duty.  On that date, Lieutenant Drake and other personnel returned to the station following a call for service.  After returning to the fire station, Lieutenant Drake began to report that he was experiencing severe chest pain.  Lieutenant Drake's wife happened to be at the station when this occurred, so she dialed 9-1-1.  Shortly after the 9-1-1 call was made, Lieutenant Drake advised responding personnel of his condition via radio.  Personnel from Columbus Regional Hospital Emergency Medical Services arrived, and transported Lieutenant Drake to Columbus Regional Hospital. While enroute to Columbus Regional Hospital, Lieutenant Drake went into cardiac arrest, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.  Being that Lieutenant Drake died in the line of duty, his unit number, 807, was retired from service.  To honor Lieutenant Drake's service and sacrifice to the community, he was posthumously awarded the department's Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant Drake's name was added to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  In the fall of 2011, the German Township Volunteer Fire Department family, traveled to the National Firefighter's Memorial, to honor their fallen brother.

Lieutenant Drake is survived by his wife, and four children.  Following his death, Lieutenant Drake's eldest daughter Elizabeth, became a Firefighter with the department.  Being that Elizabeth is the second generation of Drake to serve the community, it only seemed fitting, to assign her unit number 814.
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