Alexandria honors its first firefighter to die in the line of duty, 174 years later

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association laid a wreath Sunday at the grave of Charles Glasscock, the first Alexandria firefighter to die in the line of duty, 174 years after his death and two years after researchers located his unmarked burial site.

Charles Glasscock was a volunteer with the Friendship Fire Company, the first fire company in Alexandria, founded in 1774. On the night of June 28, 1852, the fire bell rang. The volunteers assembled at the firehouse and, in the language of the time, ran with the machine.

The engine was a suction pumper built the previous year by John Rodgers of Baltimore. It required at least 20 men to operate and could project water 160 feet. Volunteers pulled it by rope. Glasscock fell and was run over.