A beloved firefighter who died earlier this month was honored yesterday (Tuesday) with an emotional radio farewell from the Arlington County Fire Department.
The announcement that came across Arlington airwaves around 3:30 p.m. started like dispatches for significant incidents, with three long beeps. But unlike others, the message that followed was a moving tribute to the life of firefighter Lloyd Edwards.
Edwards joined ACFD on Nov. 18, 2002. Fellow firefighters remember him as a close friend to many who took great pride in his work.
On May 5, he died by suicide at age 42.
Edwards began his career at Station 10 in Rosslyn and Station 5 near Pentagon City, before moving to his longtime post, Station 4 in Clarendon.
There, he served as Tower 104’s permanent chauffeur and a member of the technical rescue team. Battalion Chief Richard Slusher recalls him warmly announcing department “family time” over the station’s intercom.
Slusher, who worked closely with Edwards for 20 years, described him as an outgoing, sentimental man who enjoyed taking photos.
“He had a big smile on his face all the time,” Slusher said. “He cared about everyone. He always took pictures of just everything we did.”
In his spare time, Edwards enjoyed instructing CrossFit workouts. Togetherness, Slusher said, was one of Edwards’ guiding values.
“He was one of the people that was always able to bring everyone together, and that’s the one thing that we’re definitely going to miss,” Slusher said. “We’re still pretty devastated, shocked.”
He added that Edwards’ family wants people to know that it is okay to ask for help.
“The family just wants to bring awareness to anybody, and especially in the fire department community, that if you’re struggling, to seek that help and and to talk to people,” Slusher said. “It’s a hard profession, and a lot of people, they bottle things up and and they don’t really want to discuss it — but it’s just important that first responders find someone that they can trust and talk to.”
Public safety employees and first responders may reach out to the county’s public safety wellness coordinators, who are available to provide therapy services and referrals as needed.
ACFD is encouraging donations to Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, a mental health nonprofit geared toward firefighters and their families. A now-closed GoFundMe raised over $27,000 for Edwards’ family.
ACFD honored Edwards’ life with the following message, delivered by dispatcher Mindy Secrest.
“Attention all stations, stand by for an announcement. The Arlington County Fire Department would like to honor firefighter Lloyd Edwards and recognize his 22-plus years of service. Lloyd was hired on Nov. 18, 2002 and began his career at Station 10. He later served at Station 5 and then Station 4, where he remained a dedicated and respected member of the crew and the technical rescue team for the rest of his career. He proudly held the spot as the permanent chauffeur on Tower 104, and while the newer folks remember him for his smooth driving, those who’ve been around awhile still smile at a few of his stories that come with him in that driver’s seat.
Lloyd was known for his steady presence, pride in the work and the way he genuinely cares for people around him. Whether on a call, in the gym or around the kitchen table, he brought quiet strength, humility and heart. One of the things we’ll always remember him is calling out family time over the intercom to bring everyone together for a meal. It was his way of reminding us what mattered most. That kind of care and presence is something we won’t forget. Lloyd was a mentor, a teammate and a friend. He is, and always will be, deeply missed.
On this day, May 20, 2025, firefighter Lloyd Edwards, badge 672, has responded to his last alarm.
End of announcement 15:33.”
The dispatch, delivered in part through tears, was met with radio responses of “rest in peace.” One in particular remembered Edwards’ badge number.
“No. 672, from Rescue 102, beep beep,” a responder said. “Love you, buddy.”
Yesterday, we laid to rest our brother, Lloyd.
For 22+ years, he served our community with heart, strength, and humility.
Your legacy lives on in every life you touched.Rest easy, brother — we’ve got it from here. pic.twitter.com/RBA8WCg1Ie
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 21, 2025
