Milledgeville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Leland Alexander died Saturday, April 27 from injuries he sustained in a 2023 fire apparatus crash, the U.S. Fire Administration reported.
Alexander was 78 years old.
On December 1, 2023, Alexander was traveling in a pumper-tanker during a thunderstorm to a fire hydrant to fill it with water from a residential fire that had started the night before. The pumper-tanker dropped off the right shoulder of the road and when he attempted to correct, he lost control of the apparatus.
Alexander was immediately transported to the hospital where he remained for an extended period of time, undergoing numerous surgeries. He returned home but was transported back to the hospital recently where it was determined he had an infection and internal bleeding.
According to his obituary, Leland worked for the Sheriff’s Department Academy, Shelby County Penal Correctional Center as chief of security for 26 years, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy for 26 years. He headed up the Escape Squad and trained dogs at the correctional facility. Shelby County had a 97 percent recap rate when Leland worked there. He also had 57 years of experience working as an emergency medical responder. Alexander previously worked in the fire service in Shelby County and was currently chief of the Milledgeville Volunteer Fire Department since 2010.
| Age: | 78 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | Chief |
| Classification: | Volunteer |
| Incident date: | Dec. 1, 2023 |
| Date of death: | Apr. 27, 2024 |
| Cause of fatal injury: | Vehicle Collision – Includes Aircraft |
| Nature of fatal injury: | Trauma |
| Activity type: | Driving/Operating Vehicle/Apparatus |
| Emergency duty: | Yes |
| Duty type: | On-Scene Fire |
| Fixed property use: | Residential |
