By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
MILLEDGEVILLE, Tenn. — Milledgeville Fire Chief Leland Alexander died from injuries he received in a 2023 fire apparatus crash.
Alexander was driving a pumper/tanker on Dec. 1 to a fire hydrant during a thunderstorm to refill water for a fire that had erupted the previous night, according to a statement from the United States Fire Administration.
The apparatus went off the road and Alexander lost control. He was transported to the hospital where he underwent several surgeries.
Although he initially returned home, complications led to his readmission, revealing an infection and internal bleeding. Alexander succumbed to his injuries on April 27, 2024.
According to his obituary, Leland served 26 years at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, initially as a deputy and later as chief of security at the Shelby County Penal Correctional Center. He led the escape squad and trained K-9s at the correctional facility during his tenure.