BETHEA, James E.
On November 12, 2014 Lieutenant James E. Bethea, the on-duty safety officer, was on the scene of a working structure fire in the 700 block of East North Avenue. The fire was extinguished and fire department units cleared the scene at 02:20 hrs. At 06:43 hrs, BCFD 911 Center began receiving calls reporting a fire department vehicle still parked at the scene of the earlier structure fire. After determining which vehicle was on scene, fire department units were sent to investigate. At 0845 hrs, Lieutenant Bethea was found, deceased, in the basement of an adjoining structure that had half of the floor missing. He apparently walked off the edge, fell to the concrete floor of the basement below, was immediately rendered unconscious and thus unable to call a MAY DAY on his fire department radio that was found with him. According to the autopsy report, Lt. Bethea died as a result of smoke inhalation/asphyxiation. James Bethea joined the Baltimore City Fire Department in 1973. He ascended through the ranks and later became a shift safety officer assigned to the Thomas J. Burke Fire Station. He was a great mentor for the younger and older station members. He will be remembered for his selfless service to others and dedication to his family. Lieutenant James Elijah Bethea was 62 years old and had served 41 faithful years.
Listing Details
House
Baltimore City Fire Department
Age
62
Years of Service
41
County
BALTIMORE CITY
