Breckenridge FD Loses Second Chief to Cancer in 18 Months
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: January 5, 2012
The chief of the Breckenridge Fire Department passed away Thursday.
George Rodgers spent 30 years with the Breckenridge Fire Department and served as chief since July 2010. He passed away at age 56 Thursday morning after battling lung cancer for nearly two years.
"He fought a real hard battle and he did the best he could," said Assistant Chief Malcolm Bufkin.
Rodgers passed away around 4:30 Thursday morning. It's a feeling that's all too familiar for the Breckenridge firefighters.
"We did lose a chief who was here for 41 years 18 months ago. They both were diagnosed with cancer one day apart," Bufkin said.
The former chief, Roger McMullen, passed away just three months after the diagnosis. Rodgers battled lung cancer for two more years, and was coming into work for a few hours each day up until last week.
"Real good guy. Dependable, tough as nails," Bufkin said.
Rodgers leaves behind his wife and four children. Bufkin will take his place as chief.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 11th at Bethany Baptist Church in Breckenridge.
George Rodgers spent 30 years with the Breckenridge Fire Department and served as chief since July 2010. He passed away at age 56 Thursday morning after battling lung cancer for nearly two years.
"He fought a real hard battle and he did the best he could," said Assistant Chief Malcolm Bufkin.
Rodgers passed away around 4:30 Thursday morning. It's a feeling that's all too familiar for the Breckenridge firefighters.
"We did lose a chief who was here for 41 years 18 months ago. They both were diagnosed with cancer one day apart," Bufkin said.
The former chief, Roger McMullen, passed away just three months after the diagnosis. Rodgers battled lung cancer for two more years, and was coming into work for a few hours each day up until last week.
"Real good guy. Dependable, tough as nails," Bufkin said.
Rodgers leaves behind his wife and four children. Bufkin will take his place as chief.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 11th at Bethany Baptist Church in Breckenridge.
