16 names added to Fallen Firefighter Memorial Wall

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Over 150 people gathered at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center to honor firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.

16 names will be added to the memorial wall. Georgia Fire Academy Officials said this year’s service is special because only 4 of those names lost their lives in the past year.

The other 12 names are being added because the qualifications for a line of duty death changed. 

“We’re going back and recognizing people that, in the past, didn’t meet the criteria,” explained Georgia Fire Academy Captain of Prevention, Rodney Pickle. 

“The people on this wall represent their call to duty,” said Gwinnett County retired firefighter Chief, Ray Mattison.

Mattison attended the service because one of his firefighters is being added to the wall this year.

Durwood Cox worked for Mattison in the 70’s and 80’s. He passed away in 1981 on duty.

Mattison remembers Cox as an excellent firefighter who was always in good spirits.

He said this wall is an tribute to the amazing people that answered their call to duty.

“This is a special place, and this is a special service. The fire service is a call to duty, it’s not a job. It’s a calling. And I was glad to be a part of the calling,” said Mattison.