The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Editorials

March 20, 2010

Emergency personnel

The Register-Herald

Glasgow volunteer fireman Donald “Donnie” Adkins was just doing what comes natural for those dedicated to the emergency services profession early last Saturday.

Adkins and two other firefighters from a small Kanawha County volunteer fire department had been called in with others late Friday, March 18, to conduct swift water rescues of numerous residents living along Beaver Creek.

Massive amounts of rain fell in a short period of time during the night and raging floodwaters were rising. Lives were at risk.

But Adkins and dozens of others like him never hesitated when they were called. It’s just the commitment they make to the public — if you need us, we’ll do our best to respond and help no matter what.

Just moments after evacuating two elderly ladies from a flooded residence and assisting them to safety, Adkins and two of his buddies from Glasgow went back out in their rescue boat to try to get to others who were trapped.

And then things went horribly wrong.

Something submerged in the water struck the motor powering the boat, disabling it, and shortly thereafter the watercraft overturned.

Two made it to shore. Adkins, sadly, was washed away and perished in the deadly current.

His body was recovered from Piney Creek late Friday afternoon, by members of the same brotherhood. They worked day and night for nearly a week to make sure they brought Adkins home.

We’ve seen it before, brave individuals who put their lives at stake to help others. It happens every day and we’ve not only come to expect it, we take it for granted.

However, when one of these unique people passes in the line of duty, it jogs our memories. There are no real words to describe the loss and the pain.

We maintain a profound sense of thankfulness and honor for those among us willing to put it all on the line.

Rest in peace, Donnie Adkins.

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