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6/30
name: Rafael Sa'adah
email: RafaelDCFD@aol.com
subject: Jimmy Carpenter
I was fortunate enough to have Jimmy Carpenter as my lieutenant when I
was a rookie at E-30. Somehow he managed to put up with me, although I
know I put a few grey hairs on his head.
He was an excellent officer: hard but fair, with a great sense of
humor. He made sure that I stayed in the books and at the watch desk
for every minute of my probation. I caught my first fires with Lt.
Carpenter and learned so much from working under him. He always took
time after each incident to critique our performance and identify ways
we could perform at a higher level.
He was an excellent role model and I still practice lessons today that I
learned in that first crucial year on the job. He was a good
firefighter, a good officer, and a good man. I will miss him. Rest in
peace, Sir.
Capt. Rafael Sa'adah, DCFD
7/1
name: John C. Desautels
email: jcdtrk9@aol.com
subject: Jimmy Carpenter
With Jimmy's passing, not only have we all lost a brother fireman but a
good friend. He was one of the best Lieutenants that we had at the old
E-24 in the 90's. Whenever we found ourselves in tight situations, he
made the right decision. I was his wagon driver then and I learned a lot
from him that I use now as a lieutenant. We became great friends and I
will miss him very much. God Bless James
7/1
name: Bruce D. Faust
email: dceng4ine@aol.com
subject: Jimmy Carpenter
I had the privilege of working with Jimmy Carpenter as a rookie at
engine 16, again at the Haz-Mat Unit, and later in the fourth battalion
when he served with Engine 24. Jimmy was a fireman in every sense. He
had great company pride, was a leader, and a superior role model. He
was also a mentor, always going the extra mile, investing time in
helping others become better in their jobs.
As a fireman, Jimmy took me under his wing, always concerned about how I
was doing, and looking out for my well-being. I will never forget his
favorite and often repeated phrase to me, "Put your mask on son, you
don't know what this stuff might do to you someday". I am forever
grateful for the knowledge he shared with me, and will miss him like a
brother.
God Bless Jimmy and his family.... Rest in Peace
7/2
name: Jim Martin
email: smokjump@comcast.net
subject: Jimmy Carpenter
The passing of Captain Jim Carpenter is a loss to the department. A
firefighter that served with pride, honor and most importantly
integrity, he leaves yet another hole to fill. Jim's devotion to duty,
commitment to our profession and carrier of our great tradition is a
classic example of a true fireman . Due to the fine firefighter and
officer he was he does leave a legacy behind. To the many people that
came into contact with him in his oh too short career, watched his work
ethic, leadership and the manner in which he conducted himself, he
leaves a model for many to learn from. Any officer that can follow his
example as both a leader and teacher will prove to be better because of
him. For any of the younger people that he taught and nurtured in our
profession, they are better people for it.
Jim was a good friend to many, and a credit to the department. He will
be missed. And although he left so fast we are better for having him
while we did. Rest in peace my Brother, I'll see ya later.
7/3
name: Douglas Smith
email: douglas.smith@dc.gov
subject: Capt Carpenter
Heart felt thanks to those individuals who assisted and participated in
the funeral services for Jimmy.
7/6
name: Steven Schellenberg
email: steven.schellenberg@dc.gov
subject: Captain Jimmy Carpenter
I had the great pleasure of spending time with Jim hunting, his favorite
hobby. Jim, Terry Burke and I spent many days hunting in West
Virginia. Jim was consumed with hunting. His collection of outdoor
gear could rival Cabella's warehouse. As good a firefighter as he was,
he was an even better outdoorsman. He had excellent hunting skills. He
was always smiling around the camp and had the best "the one that got
away" stories. He taught me many things, and every time I walk into the
woods, I will think of him. May God Bless you Jimmy.
7/7
name: John Farr- Former Paramedic E-16#3
email: John@johnfarrlighting.com
subject: Capt. Carpenter
url1: www.johnfarrlighting.com
I had the pleasure of working with Capt. Carpenter several times on E16.
After 14 years in DCFD I can't say I have ever met a better firefighter.
I think that when you look up Firefighter in the dictionary there should
be a picture of him. He was fair, brave, well liked and will be greatly
missed. He was truly a good guy. Even myself, an EMS person liked
him, and he wasn't real fond of us EMS people.
I must relate an incident that happened on a run with Capt. Carpenter.
We were dispatched to the White House for some medical call. While
waiting on the Ambulance a Secret Service officer wanted to know what 2
plungers (bugles) on his collar were for? Jimmy answered, It means I
handle more CRAP than 1 plunger. Rest In Peace, Jimmy I'll miss ya more
then you will ever know.
7/7
name: Faith Carpenter
subject: July 1 & 2, 2003 Funeral Services For Retired Captain
James W. Carpenter, Jr.
TO: The Members of the D.C.F.D.
FROM: Faith & Jessica Carpenter
SUBJECT: July 1 & 2, 2003 Funeral Services For Retired Captain James W.
Carpenter Jr.
On behalf of my daughter Jessica and myself I would like to express our
deepest gratitude for all the support and love that was given to us by
each and everyone of you that were part of the funeral services for our
beloved father and husband, Captain James W. Carpenter, Jr.
I, as his loving wife, wanted each of you to know what you meant to
Captain Carpenter (Jimmy).
As part of the funeral service the eulogy was supposed to have included
the following but it was not presented as I had requested and I wanted
to share it with you.
On March 16, 1975 The District of Columbia Fire Department became
Jimmy’s 1st and true family. Jimmy was so proud to be a part of your
brotherhood. He loved each and every one of you and always spoke with
fondness and respect of you.
It was here that he became the man that we all loved and admired. He was
appointed to the department to Truck 3, Platoon 2, where he took part in
the WMAL filming of “We’re No Heroes, a documentary of life in the DC
Fire Department. He served in his career as a Wagon Driver at Engine
16, a Lieutenant at Engine 24, a Captain at Engine 16 as well as on the
Haz-Mat Unit and various other assignments.
Many of you have commented on how he was “a leader”, “a teacher”, “a man
of true courage”, “a man of utmost integrity” and “a man of proud
tradition”. These are the things he became because of his life with
each of you that served with him at the DCFD, and these are the things
that made him the man that I fell in love with. He didn’t feel that you
were working peers; he felt that you were his family; you were his
brothers that always looked out for him and protected him, his fathers
that taught him about archery and hunting which also became a big part
of his life.
Your out pouring of support and devotion during this celebration of
Captain James Carpenter’s life took my breath away and I know if it were
at all possible Jimmy was bursting with pride.
You were remarkable and I will always be indebted to your incredible
demonstration of professionalism, love and pride in the way you honored
his career in The District of Columbia Fire Department.
Thank you and may God Bless each of you and keep you safe.
7/21
name: Lt. Jimmy Seavey
subject: Funeral Services for Capt. (Ret) Jimmy Carpenter
As a friend of Jimmy and Faith Carpenter and as one who watched him
wither away during the last two years on numerous visits, I can assure
my fellow brothers he is truly now in the peace he so richly deserved.
In light of his dedication and inspiration to the DCFD, he never
deserved to be struck with such a vile illness to begin with. However,
at this point that can simply be summed up as a reflection. God does
pick the best at times and calls them into his service.
For certain, with Jimmy in heaven, we can finally rest assured that our
other departed loved ones do now have the best in fire protection and
leadership.
I wanted to write to remind those of us that attended his viewing and
funeral services as to the significance of those events. This was not a
showing of company pride, nor was it meant to be a sad occasion grieving
the loss of one of our finest. It was meant to and proved to be an
extremely strong reminder to those of us that have recently experienced
a reduction in our faith that the traditions and excellence in the
District of Columbia Fire Department is the finest to be found.
Nowhere, when called upon, can a stronger sense of fraternal and true
brotherhood be found. It has again buttressed our dormant beliefs that
politics are such a small and insignificant part of our calling.
As a Lieutenant and Firefighter, who worked for Captain Carpenter I am
strong in my belief that even on his day of final rites, Captain
Carpenter continued to educate those of us from the department present
at the services.
No Captain, you have not stopped inspiring those with whom you worked,
or those whom you may have never met but who share your beliefs and your
calling. You will continue to be a positive presence for many years to
come in the DCFD.
My thanks to each and every one of you, who came out in appropriate
attire to afford a true firefighter and a great leader a fitting last
salute!
Jimmy, may you rest in the peace of knowing you will always be with us.
May God be with you and keep you safe!
Lt. Jimmy Seavey, Sr.
Engine 16, Platoon 4
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