Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-877-3702
fire-rescue.PA-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov


News Release 11-79
Date: October 26, 2011

On Saturday, October 22, 2011, Firefighter Horace C. “Teddy” Pendergrass, 49, passed away while in the line of duty, at Fire and Rescue Station 41, Crosspointe.

Funeral arrangements include: visitation, Wednesday, October 26, 6 to 8 p.m., Everly Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax; funeral service with honors, Thursday, October 27, 10 a.m., Greater Little Zion Baptist Church, 10185 Zion Drive, Fairfax. Interment follows at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle. Parking and seating at the funeral service will be limited to family and friends. Motorists can expect traffic delays and congestion in and around Zion Drive.

Firefighter Pendergrass was a 21-year veteran of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a graduate of Elizabeth City State University and was inducted into the Elizabeth City State University Hall of Fame in 2009.


For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Captain I Willie F. Bailey, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.

Isn't this the guy that died in his sleep? In the line of duty...pssh. The FDNY guys that died on 9/11 died in the line of duty. This guy was sawing logs.

From: http://www.iaff.org/HS/LODD/policy.html


Definition of Line-of-Duty Death

For the purposes of this medal, the line-of-duty death of an IAFF member is defined as one of the following:

Any death of an IAFF member where the deceased member’s family would be eligible for a line-of-duty death benefit under the regulations of the U.S. Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program.
Any death of an IAFF member that has been determined to be a line-of-duty death by his or her local fire department or employer.
Any death of an IAFF member where the member died of an injury or illness incurred while engaged in emergency or non-emergency duties on the job or as a result of the job.
Other cases where a local president makes a formal request to the General President, who will evaluate the circumstances surrounding the death of the IAFF member and make a determination based on the facts. Such cases could include the death of an IAFF member resulting from an injury or illness incurred while performing fire fighting or emergency medical duties as a “Good Samaritan” while off duty, or other similar circumstances.
________________


You like being a huge douchebag Gonads? Or are you a psychopath who doesn't even know you are being one?

Line of Duty, yeah right! Just another excuse by the leftwing IAFF (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the DNC) to gouge taxpayers. This is an insult to every firefighter who's made the ultimate sacrifice in the real line of duty!

So if you die from a heart attack as a result of the work of the job...that doesn't count? Are you saying you can't be considered line of duty unless you burn up in a fire?

I guess some people will just never understand.

A heart attack is a natural cause of death. While he may have been a great guy and his service to the people of FC is great, you cannot honestly claim this is a death in the line of duty. No evidence has been provided that would indicate his heart attack had anything to do with his work. But leave it to the IAFF to distort and lie in a typical self-serving story.

Unioner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So if you die from a heart attack as a result of
> the work of the job...that doesn't count? Are you
> saying you can't be considered line of duty unless
> you burn up in a fire?
>
> I guess some people will just never understand.

I think the difference is if you have a heart attack while pulling a charged line to attack a fire or dying in your sleep. To me there is a difference.

Do you guys know anything about heart attacks? Do you just assume that anyone who has one dies immediately from it?

Christ.... The guy died AT work. How much simpler is it than that?

He was a great firefighter, and a great man, and good person whom all of you would like. Was a shitload of fun, and had an incredible sense of humor. Whatever the cause he is missed, and he would have everybody here roaring. Just a cool dude.

Come on man, the guy worked in a noble profession and passed away. Whether it was in the line of duty or not has no bearing on who he was and what he had attempted to accomplish in his career. Get off the semantics and give a thought for the man.

LODD is becoming more and more a joke. throughout the years we have read of ff's dying of heart attacks, mva's with no seatbelt used. It's time for us to be accountable for our own well being. The man did not run any calls that night and that station is regarded as one of the slowest. This was more of a heavy set individual close to 50 who did not take care of himself or take advise of his doctors so he died in his bunk. It could have happened anywhere. Let's not compare this to the ff who goes into a burning building and falls through the floor and into an inferno. Just not the same.This is no LODD.

Sounds like someone has an ax to grind (dourjobnshutup) maybe someone has small penis syndrome. Got passed over on a promo maybe. I think it is pretty shitty you would come on here and say thoes things. Way to be a brother (not)
I hope some day you are outted so your brothers can see the real you hater! I would like to meet you in a lit, not a dark alley.

Drill Sgt. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sounds like someone has an ax to grind
> (dourjobnshutup) maybe someone has small penis
> syndrome. Got passed over on a promo maybe. I
> think it is pretty shitty you would come on here
> and say thoes things. Way to be a brother (not)
> I hope some day you are outted so your brothers
> can see the real you hater! I would like to meet
> you in a lit, not a dark alley.


*those* slow down spelling police

Was the guy overweight? I can imagine those bells going off at 3 am would put a strain on anyones heart. Doesnt the county give yearly physicals that should have caught heart valve blockage on the guy?

Lot of judging on this thread from a lot of people who run AWAY from fires, not TOWARDS fires.

Let him rest in peace.

Thoughts and respect go out to the family and friends of "Horace C TEDDY Pendergrass.

R I P.

This guy was massive. Not fat obese massive but mountainous. He was very successfull in track and field, played professional football, and was known to be able to do the work of two firefighters on scene by managing a leader line by himself successfully. He was a man who knew health, was strong as an ox. It is unfair to paint him as a fatass cardiac time bomb.

To answer some questions: Fairfax county screens all the firefighters every year for fitness for duty, and if there was anything detectable at the time of his appointment, they woulda found it.

Unexpected, sad, and a true loss for the citizens of the county.

Could be something in his family tree that led to heart problems. I know of more than a few people who died in their late 40s early 50s and most trace a family history of heart ailments and early death.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try these things just happen.

Union Hater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Line of Duty, yeah right! Just another excuse by
> the leftwing IAFF (a wholly-owned subsidiary of
> the DNC) to gouge taxpayers. This is an insult to
> every firefighter who's made the ultimate
> sacrifice in the real line of duty!


Lord, if everyone only knew the the shenanigans that the Local did back in the '70s to remove the volunteers from front line operations.

FattyMcButterpantz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lot of judging on this thread from a lot of people
> who run AWAY from fires, not TOWARDS fires.
>
> Let him rest in peace.

+1!!

It would be ironic if their CO2 detector wasn't working.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

WashingTone-Locian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would be ironic if their CO2 detector wasn't
> working.

Not even a factor...keep grasping at straws.

So called drill sgt, first off BROTHER, that term is a joke in this county so stop fooling yourself. Secondly, as a tax payer in this county and state, the truth must come out. I have no problem for any and all benefits given to a LODD as long as its job related. As previously posted, cardiac problems are often associated with current health as well as family genes. By the way, small penis syndrome? Really?? What are you 5? As for meeting in an alley I'd love to just need a viable reason not some petty childish blog bravado.

His old lady will be throwing down soon enough with me adn I'll be enjoying what is bound to be an absurd amount of cash from the union F's at the IAFF/FFX Co.

This guy used to play in the NFL... just saying. He was drafted in 84 and played for the Patriots. This dude was strong. Maybe before spewing hate you might learn a little.

Oh that's classy.

I like what Sean Connerys character said in the Untouchables
"Oh what the hell? You gotta die of something"

What it means is sometimes it is your time to go whether you are ready or not. Might as well have fun at what you are doing. Sounds like this FF was doing what he loved. Better than chaining yourself to a desk hating your job but doing it for the money.

You guys are ruthless. In the line of duty of not, may god bless his sole.

Yes, and his "soul" too.

As a 35 year EMS veteran I can attest to the fact that it is not that uncommon an event for people to suffer a fatal cardiovascular event shortly AFTER a stressful event as the body's systems begin to reset themselves - including one of my squad duty crew who suffered a fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack to those who are not medically trained/educated) shortly after returning from a call - and trust me - the Emergency Services careers of ALL TYPES are VERY stressful - I know from personal experience - unless you have been in one of the Emergency Services - Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement - you can't begin to understand the day to day stresses that are faced by those who give their time, sweat, blood and all too often their lives.
To his fellow FF/EMS bretheren who WILL continue to perform the duties they are call on to perform each shift please know that even though there are small minded idiots who do not get it - I do - and you are all in my prayers as are his family.

may he rest in peace and always be remembered for the service he provided. I can only imagine how dangerous being a firefighter must be and how courageous they are.

Maybe I dont know better but I would think the alarms that go off at 3am for a call would scare the shit out of you and not do your heart any good no matter how long you do the job.

to the idiots that don't know what they are talking about

Anything relating to heart and lung is covered for public safty employees, due to the stressful nature of their jobs and a bunch of other legal talk (do your own research) A death related to heart or lung issues IS a covered LODD

so stuff it......Ya'll are sad people...

PICS? Also is he going to retire on on disability now that he is dead? That seems like the common firefighter retirement package these days.

It is unbelievable the antics displayed . . . . UNBELIEVABLE and this is coming from his daughter, flesh and blood. TO ANY AND ALL who deem it necessary to discredit or slander my father PLEASE fill free to contact me!!! If you don’t have my contact information that goes to show how good of a “brother” you are!

My father was/is a Great Man! And after reading this shit it goes to show how most of you smiled in my face only to talk shit later . . . ! His kids are fucked up and taking it really fucking hard. . . . .and to find this . . . . UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE . . . .

(out of sight out of mind . . . Is how it goes right? )

LIL Teddy Pendergrass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
If you are his daughter, leave this place now. Nothing good will come of arguing with these malcontents. Just leave it be. They're wrong, you're right, anyone with a brain and a heart knows that. Just leave it.

Posted by: LIL Teddy Pendergrass ()
Date: May 12, 2012 11:06PM


It is unbelievable the antics displayed . . . . UNBELIEVABLE and this is coming from his daughter, flesh and blood. TO ANY AND ALL who deem it necessary to discredit or slander my father PLEASE fill free to contact me!!! If you don’t have my contact information that goes to show how good of a “brother” you are!

My father was/is a Great Man! And after reading this shit it goes to show how most of you smiled in my face only to talk shit later . . . ! His kids are fucked up and taking it really fucking hard. . . . .and to find this . . . . UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE . . . .

(out of sight out of mind . . . Is how it goes right? )

So you are saying that all the people your father worked with are pieces of shit? Is that right?

Dead or hurt at any job makes it on the job.
Nothing new about that.