In June of 1852, Charles Glasscock was among the Alexandria firefighters answering the call of a reported fire. The men carried the firefighting apparatus through the streets of the city only to have Glasscock fall and be struck by the heavy wheels. He died from his injuries two days later, on June 30, making him the first Alexandria firefighter to die in the line of duty.
For generations, the location of Glasscock’s grave was uncertain. But recent efforts by David Heiby of Gravestone Stories along with Friendship historian Catherine Weinraub and archaeologist Mark Ludlow led to the discovery of Glasscock’s grave in Methodist Protestant Cemetery on Wilkes Street.
The location had no marker but on Oct. 4, the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association held a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Glasscock and to reveal the first public look at a bronze plaque commemorating the firefighter. The plaque will be on permanent display at the Friendship Firehouse Museum.
Since his death in 1852, Alexandria’s fire department recites Glasscock’s name first on its Roll Call of the Fallen.