Burton Fire Captain Retires After 37 Years of Service

Lee Levesque started as a volunteer firefighter in New York before serving in the military and joining fire departments in Georgia and South Carolina.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Burton Fire District (BFD) announced that Captain Lee Levesque is retiring after 37 years of service in the fire service. Levesque began his career as a volunteer firefighter in New York in 1988 before joining the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and serving on the Presidential Casket and Escort Teams in Washington, D.C. After his military service, Levesque started his professional fire service career with the Savannah, Georgia Fire Department and also volunteered with the Beaufort Fire Department in South Carolina. Levesque's final day with the Burton Fire District will be January 31.

Why it matters

Levesque's retirement after over three decades of service highlights the dedication and longevity of career firefighters, who often serve their local communities for many years. His involvement in emergency planning and training for local schools also demonstrates the important community roles that firefighters play beyond just responding to emergencies.

The details

Captain Levesque began his fire service career in 1988 as a volunteer firefighter with the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown of Honeoye, New York. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army and became a paratrooper in Panama before being transferred to the 3rd U.S. Infantry, the Old Guard, in Washington, D.C., where he served on the Presidential Casket and Escort Teams. Even during his military service, Levesque volunteered with the Occoquan, Woodbridge, Lorton (OWL) Volunteer Fire Department in Woodbridge, Virginia. After his military service, Levesque started his professional fire service career with the Savannah, Georgia Fire Department and also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Beaufort Fire Department in South Carolina.

  • Levesque began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter in 1988.
  • Levesque joined the U.S. Army after graduating high school.
  • Levesque served in the 3rd U.S. Infantry, the Old Guard, in Washington, D.C. during his military service.
  • Levesque started his professional fire service career with the Savannah, Georgia Fire Department after his military service.
  • Levesque's final day with the Burton Fire District will be January 31, 2026.

The players

Lee Levesque

A 37-year veteran of the fire service who is retiring from his role as Captain with the Burton Fire District in South Carolina.

Richmond Volunteer Fire Department

The volunteer fire department where Levesque began his fire service career in 1988 in his hometown of Honeoye, New York.

United States Army

The military branch that Levesque served in as a paratrooper in Panama and as part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, the Old Guard, in Washington, D.C.

Occoquan, Woodbridge, Lorton (OWL) Volunteer Fire Department

The volunteer fire department that Levesque served with in Woodbridge, Virginia during his military service.

Savannah Fire Department

The professional fire department that Levesque started his career with after his military service.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Levesque's retirement after over three decades of service in the fire service, including as a volunteer and professional firefighter, demonstrates the long-term commitment and community impact that many firefighters have over the course of their careers.