Virginia SJ 193: Commending Eugene E. Gerald.

Bill Text

2024SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATEJOINTRESOLUTIONNO.193
Commending Eugene E. Gerald.
AgreedtobytheSenate,March6,2024
AgreedtobytheHouseofDelegates,March7,2024
WHEREAS, Eugene E. Gerald, who responded to countless emergencies, led generations of
firefighters, and supported his community with integrity and distinction, retired as assistant chief of the
Henrico Division of Fire after more than 46 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Eugene "Cricket" Gerald began his career as a firefighter in 1976 and previously served
as chief of the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department in Hanover County and the part-time operations
chief for New Kent Fire-Rescue; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his retirement, Cricket Gerald was the longest serving member of the
Henrico Division of Fire; he had been stationed at numerous firehouses throughout the county and spent
decades developing, refining, and delivering operational doctrine to enhance engine, special service, and
fire medic operations; and
WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald helped establish company officer training and mentoring programs to
better prepare his fellow firefighters for the challenges of their profession, and he promoted the
importance of servant-leadership in fire service to build strong relationships between public safety
officers and the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald was a practicing emergency medical technician before the Henrico
Division of Fire was officially involved in emergency medical services, and he served as one of the
division's original ambulance attendants-in-charge; and
WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald was active in a wide range of division activities, including the standards
of response coverage group, and facilitated the development of a rural water supply procedure; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his accomplishments, Cricket Gerald received the 2022 Glenn Gaines
Leadership Legacy Award from the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and the Henrico County Manager's
Medal of Honor, a prestigious award that has been presented to fewer than five recipients; and
WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald also earned the Richmond Jaycees Community Service Award, the
Ruritan Firefighter of the Year Award, the EMS Lifesaver Award, the Michael Holder Leadership
Award, and the Fire Medal of Valor, among many other accolades; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby
commend Eugene E. Gerald on the occasion of his retirement as assistant chief of the Henrico Division
of Fire; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for
presentation to Eugene E. Gerald as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his
contributions to fire service at the local, regional, and state levels and legacy of service to the Henrico
County community.
ENROLLED
SJ193ER