SPRING HILL, TN—The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously voted Monday to rename Spring Hill Fire Station No. 4 after the late Mitchell Earwood.
Earwood, who had served with the department since 2008, died in May due to an incident caused by storms that swept through the Middle Tennessee area. He was 34 years old.
Mayor Rick Graham said dedicating Station No. 4, which will be built at the intersection of Duplex Road and Buckner Lane, in Earwood's honor was something the BOMA had planned to do sooner, but was unable because COVID-19 restrictions causing city meetings to operate remotely. This, he said, was something the city wanted to do in person with the family once meetings resumed at Spring Hill City Hall.
"To the family here tonight, we've been pushing this back and back so we could see you guys live, and we are so glad to do so," Graham told the family Monday. "We appreciate you guys, and Mitchell's service so much. Bless you all and thank you so much, and thanks to all of the firemen who are here tonight."
Fire Chief Terry Hood read a proclamation officially honoring the dedication.
"Mitchell Earwood served Spring Hill and her citizens with honor, dignity, integrity and goodness until his untimely passing on May 3, 2020," Hood said. "And whereas the City of Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided to memorialize Mitchell Earwood's service to Spring Hill and the greater Williamson and Maury County communities, now therefore be it resolved that Fire Station No. 4 will forever be known as 'Mitchell Earwood Fire Station No. 4.'"
At the time of Earwood's death, several firefighters, ambulances and state troopers were posted on overpasses above Interstate 65 as his body was taken to the state medical examiner's office. The procession included all SHFD staff who accompanied Earwood's remains during the more than 30-mile trip from Bethesda to Nashville.
The following day, emergency personnel gathered for another procession that traveled from Nashville down I-65 to Williamson Memorial Funeral Home in Franklin.
Earwood's father, Jerry Earwood, shared a few words of appreciation to the city, SHFD and the decision to name the new fire station in his son's memory.
"We would like to thank everybody for all of the support they have given us over the last 6 months, most especially during the time of his passing when the mayor and aldermen allowed Chief Hood to give our son a great funeral, as well as the time off for the guys," he said. "We just really appreciate it."
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