[Archived] Fire Department, Friendship Fire to Host Headstone Reveal Ceremony for Chief George Pettey

For Immediate Release: Aug. 23, 2019

The Alexandria Fire Department and Friendship Firehouse Museum invite the community to attend a reveal ceremony for a newly created headstone for the grave of Fire Chief George W. Pettey on Friday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. at Bethel Cemetery (1475 Wilkes St.).

Chief Pettey was a native Alexandrian, businessman and firefighter. He began his firefighting career with the Sun Fire Company and after the Civil War, he joined the Hydraulion Engine Company. In 1876, he was listed as Foreman of the Hydraulion. By 1896, Pettey was already gaining a distinctive status in fire service, and in 1897, he was chosen as the Chief Engineer of the Alexandria Fire Department in place of Mr. Edgar Warfield, who declined a re-election.

On April 15, 1911 Pettey had a heart attack and died while responding to a fire on South Henry Street. He was buried in Bethel Cemetery where his grave is currently unmarked.

For additional information, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Rick Muse Jr. at 703.746.5217 or at rick.musejr@alexandriava.gov.