When he likely retires in 4½ years, Clarence Tucker will remember Dec. 1, 2016, for two reasons:
It was his birthday; he turned 55.
And he got to spend it with his family inside Akron Fire Station No. 7 as Mayor Dan Horrigan swore in the 28-year firefighter as the 19th Fire Chief and only the second African-American to lead the fire department in its 180-year history.
With such reasons to celebrate, though, Thursday may be only the second most memorable day in Tucker’s career. The most memorable day would explain why Horrigan picked Tucker from a list of nine “outstanding” candidates.