05/18/2026
Sorry for the long post but need to be said.
The outpouring of love and support from the Curry community during the passing of our Assistant Fire Chief, Richard Meeks, has meant more than words can express.
Thank you for every prayer, call, visit, meal, ribbon, hug, and kind words extended to Richard’s family and to our fire department over the last week and a half. Your support has been a reminder of what makes this community so special — people here show up for one another in times of need. This is why we are so proud to do what we do.
Richard dedicated his life to serving and protecting this community, and seeing the love poured back onto his family and fellow firefighters has been truly overwhelming. We will continue to honor his memory, his leadership, and the impact he made on so many lives.
To the first responders
We at Curry Fire & Rescue would like to take a moment to thank every single first responder from Fire , EMS , and law enforcement who showed their love and support for our fallen brother, Richard Meeks.
The outpouring of support from those who stepped in to help us during this difficult time has not gone unnoticed. So many people took on different roles to ensure everything ran smoothly, and for that we are truly grateful. We would love to name each individual, department, and agency personally, but the list would be endless, and we would never want to accidentally leave anyone out.
The day was filled with heartbreak as we mourned the loss of Richard far too soon. At the same time, our hearts were full beyond measure from the respect, honor, and love that was shown for him. It is a reminder that you truly know how many lives a person can touch or how far their impact can reach.
We saw departments from across our county and many from outside the county come together in support. One of the most amazing things we heard throughout the day were the stories people shared about Richard whether they knew him for years, worked along side him on calls, or simply met him during a 40 hour class. No matter how long they knew him, he left an impact on their lives.
From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful to the Curry community for standing beside us during this difficult time. We are forever grateful. The way you have honored Richard means the world to us. Thank you.
Curry Fire Rescue
