Escambia County Mourns Loss Of Fire Rescue District Chief Dwain Bradshaw

November 6, 2019

Escambia County is mourning the loss of Dwain S. Bradshaw, 41, a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. He was killed this morning while on scene responding to a multi-vehicle accident on the Muscogee Bridge.

“The Escambia County family lost a true hero and dedicated public servant today,” County Administrator Janice Gilley said. “Our hearts go out to Dwain Bradshaw’s family, loved ones, and all of the men and women of Escambia County Fire Rescue who are grieving the loss of their colleague and friend. I, along with the Board of County Commissioners, ask that you please keep all first responders in your prayers as they continue to selflessly risk their lives every day to protect and serve the public.”

Bradshaw was on scene at a fatal motorcycle crash early this morning near the Florida/Alabama state line when he was struck by a log truck. He was transported by Life Flight to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

“I’d like to express my sincerest condolences to the family of Dwain Bradshaw as they grieve the loss of their loved one,” District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “This is a tremendous loss for the Beulah community and all of Escambia County, and we will continue to pray for healing and strength for everyone who knew and loved Dwain.”

Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said Bradshaw had been volunteering with Escambia County Fire Rescue since the late 1990s, but his experience expands beyond fire rescue, having served in law enforcement and in the military, most recently in the Mississippi Air National Guard. Bradshaw also served as a Department of Defense Firefighter onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Bradshaw taught many volunteer training classes for Escambia County Fire Rescue, where Williams said his outgoing personality and extensive knowledge made him well-liked by his students.

“He was one of the main ones that the volunteers liked as an instructor, so he taught quite a few classes for us here in the county,” Williams said. “He was just a really good instructor, and he was able to articulate the information very well.”

Williams said Bradshaw was preparing to step in as the District Chief for the Beulah station next year after the retirement of the current chief. He said the entire department is feeling the loss.

“The grief from the loss, it’ll be felt throughout the department,” Williams said.

For more information about the traffic crash, click here.

Comments

25 Responses to “Escambia County Mourns Loss Of Fire Rescue District Chief Dwain Bradshaw”

  1. Susan and Larry smith on November 7th, 2019 8:35 pm

    Our poo sayers go out to Dwains family and friends. He was one of the best we know.. Prayers to all the volunteers that worked with him. God bless you all and may he be by your ice through this loss.

  2. David Madison on November 7th, 2019 5:13 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with not only with his wife and children but with Kathy and Dwain with their loss. He was one of the most respectful young men I knew.

  3. Julia Wyrick on November 7th, 2019 2:28 pm

    Deep empathy for the Bradshaw Family, also for the Firemen Fraternity close to him. Prayers for comfort and peace.

  4. Lydia Rasmussen on November 7th, 2019 11:28 am

    Praying for his wife and daughters, for his firefighting family, and all who knew him. Lord Jesus be with them all in this time of tragedy and sorrow! Rest In Peace Mr. Bradshaw. Thank you for all of your service to your community and the USA.

  5. Gilbert A Pena on November 7th, 2019 5:03 am

    Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this heroic man.. Truly lost a light in the world

  6. MSgt Perry Winford on November 7th, 2019 4:53 am

    A true brother that will be missed in the military. He was a true brother to me. All prayers and love to his family. One of the best Senior NCO’s i ever worked with. We will miss him.

  7. rance on November 7th, 2019 3:06 am

    Dear God bless this public servant and keep his family in your care during this sad and difficult time…In Jesus’s name. Rest in Peace Chief Bradshaw. Your good work will not be forgotten.

  8. Bonnie EXNER on November 7th, 2019 12:53 am

    Prayers said for Mr.Bradshaw’s Loved ones left behind..this is such a tragic accident…we lost a TRUE HERO today.

  9. Terry on November 6th, 2019 11:25 pm

    sincere respect for the chief and his family. prayers to all.

  10. Firemedic on November 6th, 2019 11:22 pm

    Rest easy brother. We have the watch.

  11. Suzette de Guzman on November 6th, 2019 9:36 pm

    My deepest sympathy to the bereaved family..praying for the family Bradshaw and all the firefighters..RIP Sir Dwain..

  12. Mike Epps on November 6th, 2019 7:55 pm

    Rest In Peace Sir
    May Godspeed

  13. Brittany Harper on November 6th, 2019 7:08 pm

    Praying for The Bradshaw family. He was a wonderful person and I am honored to have served with him. God Bless his daughters and his wife and protect them

  14. Tammy Quattlebaum on November 6th, 2019 6:15 pm

    Sending love and praying for all of the loved ones left behind. Rest in peace.

  15. Hank Murdock on November 6th, 2019 5:46 pm

    This is so sad.
    My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and FireFighting family.
    What a tremendous loss not only for the family also the community.
    No words can express my sorrow.
    I can only thank him for his dedication and service.

  16. Sara Dalton on November 6th, 2019 5:25 pm

    He was such a great friend and he loved his family with everything in him I will greatly miss him and I’m sure all of the Woodham Titans and the lives he touched will miss him as well. Rip my dear friend. I will never forget you <3 always. Keep his family in ur prayers as they have more to handle in such tragic time for them all. Love you Christine

  17. Anna Cary on November 6th, 2019 5:17 pm

    3-3-4 brother.

  18. Tina Kelly on November 6th, 2019 4:48 pm

    God Bless his friends and family! So sad. Thank you for your service Dwain!

  19. Jeannie Wilkinson on November 6th, 2019 4:00 pm

    PRAYING for peace and comfort for the FAMILY and friends. RIP sir.

  20. K Payton on November 6th, 2019 3:35 pm

    Selfless, kind, funny, just an all around phenomenal human being and I knew this after only meeting him one time. Prayers go out to his family and friends his fellow fire fighters ems and other first reponders that had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dwain ❤️

  21. Sheena on November 6th, 2019 2:40 pm

    I’m his cousin and I am with his family and I just read the write up to the family and they appreciate this write up and the way it was wrote. Thank you William Reynolds we couldn’t have said it better ourselves! The family want’s you to know they appreciate it very much.

  22. Lifendason on November 6th, 2019 2:29 pm

    Prayers for the family and friends.

  23. Shari on November 6th, 2019 2:20 pm

    My prayers go out to the family and his family at rhe station. As a former

    Firefighter and first responder. I am sadden by this news he was a great man.

  24. ELW on November 6th, 2019 2:17 pm

    God bless everyone involved. Such a tragedy. God bless his family.

  25. Bill Barrett on November 6th, 2019 2:09 pm

    Prayers for the families involved. Firefighters and all first responders are extended families. It doesn’t matter if they are career or volunteer they all put their lives on the line to protect and keep us safe.