By Janelle Rucker
The Roanoke Times
ROCKY MOUNT, Va. — Together, Fire Chief Posey Dillon and firefighter William Daniel “Danny” Altice had 81 years of experience fighting fires in Rocky Mount.
Family, friends and town residents mourned the loss of the two men Tuesday.
Dillon, 59, and Altice, 57, were killed Monday afternoon when an SUV hit the fire engine they were riding in on the way to a house fire in Union Hall.
“This is totally blowing us all away,” Kathy Hutcherson said as she ate breakfast at The Hub Restaurant.
Hutcherson’s late husband, Donald Hutcherson, used to serve with the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department and the couple knew Dillon and Altice well, she said.
“They were both very well respected, easygoing, nice to be around. They will be dearly missed.”
Many gathered at the local restaurant late Tuesday morning, reading news of what happened.
“They were both very good boys,” said William Via, who knew the two since they were children. “Dedicated to their jobs.”
All around town, businesses displayed their support for the department with signs encouraging passers-by to keep the department in their prayers.
Outside the fire department, a sign encouraged residents to remember Dillon and Altice.
While the department mourns the loss of their chief, the town council is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own, too.
Dillon served has served on town council for 24 years and was appointed by his peers to serve as the vice mayor earlier this month.
“It’s just such a shock to hear this happen,” said Councilman Robert Strickler. “Posey is a good friend. He went out of his way to help you.”
That trait of lending a hand when needed was often used to describe Altice as well.
In his 47th year with the department, Altice participated in many fire department runs, according to town records.
“I guess you could call him dedicated and dependable,” said B.W. Wright, president of the department’s auxiliary unit and Altice’s grade school classmate.
“He didn’t pick the rosy jobs. He took ‘em all.”
Assistant Chief Charles Robertson has now assumed chief duties in the volunteer department.
Other officers were shifted and an election eventually will be held for any resulting vacancies.
As for Dillon’s seat on the town council, the remaining council members will appoint his replacement, Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins said.
The council can appoint the person who obtained the highest number of votes during the last election, a former member of town council or any qualified voter, Hankins said.
Whoever is appointed will serve the remainder of Dillon’s term, set to expire in 2012.
Funeral arrangements
The Dillon and Altice families will receive visitors at the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department on Thursday.
Dillon’s visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Alice’s from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Dillon’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m Friday at Franklin Heights Baptist Church.
Altice’s is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church.
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