By FireRescue1 Staff
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Colleagues and members of the community are mourning the death of a well-known retired veteran firefighter who died Wednesday.
Anthony “Tony” Cooke, 66, who served the Virginia Beach Fire Department for 25 years, started his fire service career in 1976. The department noted that Cooke preferred to be recognized as the city’s first “black” firefighter.
After 10 years of service, Cooke, an Army veteran, was awarded a Medal of Honor for rescuing four children from an apartment fire, reported WAVY. When he retired, he had earned the rank of master firefighter.
“To say that Tony served with distinction during his 25 years with the fire department is an understatement and does not even begin to describe the legacy he leaves to both VBFD and the citizens of Virginia Beach,” the fire department wrote on its Facebook page.
Funeral arrangements are pending.