Wayne County, NC – The Wayne County Fire Marshal’s office has announced the death of Volunteer Safety Officer Joe Jessie Tucker. Tucker served as a volunteer firefighter with the Thoroughfare Fire Department since 2004.
At approximately 3:12 a.m. Sunday, March 8, 2020, Thoroughfare, Mar Mac, and Grantham Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched to a structure fire located at 1836 Old Grantham Road in Goldsboro. After arriving on scene, the driver of Thoroughfare Engine 2 exited the vehicle and complained of a possible medical emergency. Wayne County EMS on the scene assessed the firefighter and immediately transported him to the Wayne UNC Emergency Department.
The cause of death is not immediately known and is pending an autopsy by the State Medical Examiner. The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal and the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation have been contacted to assist the family and the department.
Funeral services are pending and will be released at a later date.