Senate Resolution No. 348

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING outgoing Chief David O. Pritchard upon
the occasion of his retirement after 56 years of
dedicated service to the Boonville Fire Company

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every
day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and
the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic
magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute
and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend outgoing
Chief David O. Pritchard upon the occasion of his retirement after 56
years of dedicated service to the Boonville Fire Company to be
celebrated at its Annual Installation Dinner at the Boonville Elks Lodge
on Saturday, April 13, 2019; and

WHEREAS, David O. Pritchard joined the Boonville Fire Company in
1963; throughout his 56 years of service he held several positions
within the Department including: Lieutenant, 1965-1970; Captain,
1970-1972; 2nd Assistant Chief, 1972-1974; 1st Assistant Chief,
1974-1976; and Fire Chief from 1976-1990, and again from 1997-2019, upon
the completion of his service, he will relinquish his command to his son
David Pritchard, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Over his 56 years of service Chief David O. Pritchard spent
a total of 36 years as Chief, 11 years as a Line Officer, and in his
retirement, will continue to be a mentor to all; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; they are often the first to respond to an
emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident,
natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of
hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
David O. Pritchard is such a firefighter; throughout 56 years of
devoted service, he heroically performed, above and beyond the call of
duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Chief David O. Pritchard upon the occasion of his retirement
after 56 years of dedicated service to the Boonville Fire Company; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Chief David O. Pritchard.