CARMEL — Tears and laughter filled Carmel Fire Station 345 Friday night as the department's longest serving firefighter retired.
Captain Joseph Butts was a Carmel firefighter for 40 years. His team describes him as family.
"I love you Joe, my family loves you and we love you. Thank you for all you've done for us and the Carmel Fire Department," firefighter Tim Griffin said.
Saving lives and serving the city of Carmel is a family affair.
"There are literally thousands of people who he has had contact with. It's beyond me to have imagined how many people he has had a direct effect on," Joseph's son, Firefighter Drew Butts, said. "I got to work with my hero for 5.5 years ... On the rare occasions where my dad and I have been on the same truck, [those] will always be my most treasured memories."
Captain Butts' nephew, firefighter Cory Essex, also spoke.
"Another big thing with Joe was 'If you're gonna do it, do it right.' And after 40 years, you've done it right," Essex told the crowd.
Also at the ceremony was the firefighter closest to Joseph, his wife Renee, who is also on the force. The two met on the job and Renee's maiden name? Butz. Renee then fell in love and married a Butts.
A proclamation made April 29, 2022 Joseph A Butts Day.
-
Keystone Group accuses Mayor of walking away from Eleven Park project
In a statement released Thursday, Indianapolis-based Keystone Group, owned by Ersal Ozdemir, says the city has been "shopping" state legislation that made funding for Eleven Park possible.Franklin Township elementary school files CPS report after complaints
Following social media attention, specifically on TikTok, the school, South Creek Elementary School in Franklin Tonwship released a statement to parents and families of the school.Sale of Circle Centre Mall to Wisconsin-based firm finalized
Hendricks, the firm behind the development of the Bottleworks District and Ironworks at Keystone, announced the deal on Wednesday.14 arrested for obstructing traffic on Meridian Street in Gaza ceasefire protest
During the protest, IMPD and Indiana State Police at the scene blocked Meridian Street between 46th and 49th streets.