OXFORD – The Oxford Fire Department came together Saturday night for their annual award ceremony and banquet, which also unfortunately fell on the same day many in their ranks suffered a personal tragedy.

“We will sit back, tip a few, tell a few stories and lie, but one thing that I think will be the most cherished is the passing of our history from one generation to the next. We all sit in a room tonight filled with years of history, years of leadership and years of sincere dedication,” said Oxford Fire Chief Ronald Martin Jr.

Martin told the crowd at the Silo Restaurant in Greene Saturday night that at 4:40 a.m. earlier that morning, 24-year old Todd Harvey, a close friend and family member to many in the organization, lost his battle against melanoma, a form of skin cancer, and passed away.

“We all see the paintings on the wall, the trophies in the trophy case and the mementos that are tipped over every once in awhile. We think the material items as our history. I think that those play a role in our history but I think that what is more important is the experiences and the stories that unfolded and that each member carries with them,” he said.

Martin said the department “made history once again” when it came together to put on a three day fundraiser for Harvey around the first of November.