Davie Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Padgett had the first inkling of being in the fire service when he was a small child.
After 50 years of service he was honored today by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and its Secretary Mike Causey with the agency's highest award — The Order of the Guardian.
“I’m here to thank you for your 50 years of service and all that you’ve done for this community and the fire department over the years,” Causey said. “This is in recognition of your character, integrity and service to the citizens of North Carolina and this community.”
Tony Bailey, an Office of the State Fire Marshal ratings and inspections specialist, said he met Padgett in the latter part of 2010-11. “Chief Padgett’s probably never met a stranger in his entire life. He’s always outgoing and well-respected by his fellow peers here in the county,” he said.