Gov. Jack Markell (D) is remembering the life of volunteer firefighter Tim McClanahan, who died during a training accident earlier this week.
In his weekly message, Markell called McClanahan a “selfless community hero” who will be grieved for some time.
“Tim always put the safety and security of others first, and though he’s no longer with us, the lessons he taught to his fellow first responders will continue to have an impact for many years to come,” he said.
The 46-year-old McClanahan was an original member of the Delaware Air Rescue Team and volunteer firefighter in Lewes.
State police report he fell from a helicopter during a training exercise Monday night and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police, firefighters and other first responders staged a statewide funeral procession for McClanahan as his body returned to Lewes.
You can read the entire transcript of the governor's weekly message below:
This past week Delaware lost a selfless community hero and courageous first responder when volunteer firefighter Tim McClanahan was killed during a helicopter training exercise.
As we grieve with Tim’s family, friends, and colleagues, we also honor and celebrate his contributions to our state – as a dedicated family member, a volunteer firefighter, and an original member of the Air Rescue team with which he was flying at the time of his tragic accident.
And we are reminded of the sacrifices that first responders, police officers, and firefighters make across our state every day to keep us safe.
As Lewes Fire Chief Gordon Davis said this week, Tim’s passion was rescue work. He was willing to put himself in difficult and, at times, dangerous situations to save others, and his commitment to service made possible the success of the Delaware Air Rescue Team.
His achievements included joining a successful operation with a team that was dropped from a helicopter onto a cargo ship to save an injured passenger.
Tim’s life epitomized the beautiful words of the great humanitarian and legendary tennis player Arthur Ashe, who noted that “True heroism is remarkably sober, undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost.”
Tim always put the safety and security of others first, and although he is no longer with us, the lessons he taught to his fellow first responders will continue to have an impact for many years to come.
So, the greatest tribute we can pay to Tim and his family is to keep his memory alive, allowing his life to inspire us and to encourage others to follow in his footsteps.
By remembering and learning from his service and generous spirit, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.
