Office of Emergency Medical Services

• EMS ›
• News ›
• 2010 ›
• Mar ›
• WV Firefighter Line of Duty Death

While the information contained in this news article was current and accurate when we posted it, it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.

Posted: Monday, March 22, 2010 10:27 AM

Donald Willard "Donnie", "Bubby" Adkins III, 32, of Cedar Grove died March 13, 2010, while assisting with a swift-water rescue during flooding at Beaver. He and his crew had successfully rescued 15 people before their boat capsized, throwing all three of them into the water. Two were rescued shortly after they capsized.

Born on November 26, 1977, in Charleston, Donnie attended DuPont High School and was most recently employed by the Capital Resource Weatherization Program in Montgomery. He had been a member of the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department since 2008 and a previous member of the Rand Volunteer Fire Department.

He was a loving son, brother, father and friend to many, especially his friends at the fire department, where he spent many hours. He was known for his love of WVU football and basketball, as well as NASCAR. His favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Donald was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ivy Mae and Paul Fizer and Donald Willard Adkins. Left behind to cherish his memory are his mother, Lynn Adkins Sigmon of Cedar Grove; father, Donald Adkins Jr. of Mammoth; sister, Rene Coleman (Wesley) of Mammoth; grandmother, Jackie Adkins of Cedar Grove; companion, Bobbie Evans of Cedar Grove; and many aunts; uncles; and cousins. He will always be a hero to all the family and friends he leaves behind.

He was a loving father to son, Devin Buzzard of Sylvester; son, Ethan Adkins of St. Albans; as well as special children, Joshua Perdue of Sylvester and Allyssa Evans of Cedar Grove.

Service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at Riverside High School 1-Warrior Way Belle, WV 25015, with Chaplain Mike Jarrett officiating. Burial will follow the service in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Friends may call two hours prior to the service at Riverside High School on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 190, Glasgow, WV 25086.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many, many volunteers who participated in the search for Donnie and also to those who have offered prayers and support through this difficult time.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cookefuneralhome.com.

Cooke Funeral Home & Crematorium, Cedar Grove, is in charge of arrangements.

THE STATE'S FIRE AND EMS AGENICES HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED TO DONATE $100 IN HONOR OF THEIR FALLEN BROTHER.