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Captain Nathan R. Burgess
Nathan Burgess
Date of Passing: Nov. 12, 2023
Captain Nathan R. Burgess, 49, died of occupational cancer 18 months after his diagnosis. On Feb. 1, 2023, the North Carolina Industrial Commission recognized his passing as a line-of-duty death.
Burgess entered the department in 2002. He was promoted to first class firefighter in 2006, promoted to lieutenant in 2017, and was promoted to captain in April 2023.
A memorial service was held on Nov. 19, 2023 at the Johnston Community College auditorium in Smithfield.
Burgess is survived by his parents Gene Burgess and Carleen Jung; wife of 18 years, Christy Burgess; daughters Chayse, Payton, and Neise; and son Garris.
Lt. Brent A. Upton
Brent Upton
Date of Passing: March 17, 2021
Lt. Brent Allen Upton passed away on March 17, 2021, at the age of 38 after a courageous fight with occupational cancer. Born and raised in Raleigh, Upton was a proud N.C. State University graduate, a devoted husband and father, and a lifelong Wolfpack fan.
He joined the Raleigh Fire Department in 2006 as a member of the 33rd Fire Academy. He was promoted to first class firefighter in 2010, senior firefighter in 2013, and lieutenant in 2015. He also spent many years serving on the HAZMAT team — work he took great pride in.
In 2018, Upton was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. Even after taking a medical retirement in 2019, he returned in a part-time administrative role to continue supporting the HAZMAT program. He spoke openly about his illness to raise awareness about cancer in the fire service and participated in legislative efforts that later expanded benefits for firefighters facing similar diagnoses.
Upton was known for his kindness, wit, and his ability to brighten any room he entered. Above all, he loved his family deeply — his wife Catherine and their daughter, Ella.
He lived his life dedicated to the city he loved and the people he served. He is remembered with gratitude, admiration, and the enduring respect of his Raleigh Fire Department family.
He is survived by his wife Catherine and daughter Ella, parents Bruce and Melanie, and brother Blake.
Assistant Chief Wallace Keith Tessinear
Wallace Tessinear
Date of Passing: Aug. 29, 2019
Assistant Chief of Training Wallace Keith Tessinear, 55, died of occupational cancer. He was diagnosed with lymphoma on June 1, 2018. He passed away 14 months later. On Nov. 27, 2019, the North Carolina Industrial Commission recognized his passing as a line-of-duty death.
Tessinear entered the department in 1991. He rose through the ranks, promoted to firefighter first class (1994), lieutenant (1997), captain (2001), and battalion chief (2007). He was appointed as a division chief in 2012, first serving in Operations and then assigned to Training.
He was appointed assistant chief in 2015, first assigned to Services, followed by the Office of the Fire Marshal where he served as the city fire marshal. He was later reassigned to the Training division. He had served 28.6 years at the time of his death.
Funeral services were held on Sept. 1 at the Chapel at Bright Funeral Home in Wake Forest, with burial at Clyde's Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Wendell on the same day.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jessica Tessinear; his daughter, Hannah Brooke Tessinear; his sister, Kimberly Taylor, nephews: Damon, Zachary, Luke and Mason Taylor; mother-in-law, Judy Whitley; sisters-in-law: Brenda Hales and their children: Justin and Lauren; and Janice Whitley and their children: Heather, Erica and Lawrence. Keith will also be greatly missed by all of his fire department family.
Lt. Herman S. Jones
Herman Jones
Date of Passing: Jan. 22, 2008
Lieutenant Herman S. Jones, 58, died after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was on duty on Jan. 18, 2008, at Station 10, when he began to experience chest pains. He was transported to WakeMed and then to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. He died at the hospital on January 22, 2008.
Jones entered the department in 1980. He was promoted to the ranks of firefighter first class in 1983, and to lieutenant in 2001. He had served 27.7 years at the time of his death.
He was buried following a church service on Jan. 26 at Juniper Level Baptist Church in Raleigh. Fire department members Ronald Ricks, Joseph Callender, Patrick Canady, Gregory Buxton, George Jones Sr., and Michael Barnes served as pallbearers.
He is survived by a daughter, Tiffany N. Jones of Morrisville‚ North Carolina; and his mother, Louise Penix Jones of Garner‚ North Carolina.
Firefighter Paul A. Mimms
Paul Mimms
Date of Passing: April 20, 1964
Firefighter II Paul A. "Pallie" Mimms, 41, died of an apparent heart attack while operating a pumper at a commercial structure fire, at 1908 Hillsboro Street. He fainted at the pump panel and was pronounced dead on arrival at Rex Hospital. The fire took place at Norden Laboratories Incorporated just after midnight. Mimms was the driver of Engine 5.
Funeral services were held on April 22 at Overby Mortuary Chapel in Raleigh, with burial at Montlawn Memorial Park the same day.
Mimms entered the department in 1951. He had served 13.8 years at the time of his death.
Driver Vernon J. Smith
Vernon Smith
Date of Passing: March 10, 1956
Driver Vernon J. Smith, 44, died at Rex Hospital, succumbing to injuries occurred on Nov. 14, 1952, while operating Engine 6. The 1926 American LaFrance pumper, being operated as a reserve unit, overturned while returning from a call at the sharp curve where Brooks Avenue turns into Lewis Farm Road.
The afternoon accident also pinned Captain James T. White under the wreckage and injured the three firefighters hanging onto the tailboard. The accident was blamed on a broken brake lever and the City Council immediately approved funding for a new pumper, to retire the other 1926 reserve pumper as soon as possible.
The other firefighters recovered from their injuries, while Smith underwent 29 operations before his death. He worked in light-duty roles as his health permitted, including as dispatcher.
Funeral services were held on March 12 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, with burial at Montlawn Cemetery the same day. Fire Chief Jack B. Keeter, Assistant Fire Chief R. Lee Matthews, and fire department members James M. Burnette, James T. White, Herbert E. Partin, and Jack T. Wall served as pallbearers.
Smith joined the Raleigh Fire Department in 1942. He had served 13.7 years at the time of his death.
He is survived by his widow, the former Lottie Bunch; two sons, Charles V. and Harold Glenn of Raleigh; his mother, Mrs. Troy Smith of Clayton; four brothers, Leon and Kenneth, of Clayton, Raymond L. of Atlanta, and Marvin of Raleigh.