August 20, 2021
Jim Evancho
On August 19, 2021 Anniston Fire Department’s Lieutenant Justin Roberts passed away after contracting COVID-19. Lt. Roberts would have been with the fire department for 20 years next Monday. The Calhoun County Journal spoke with some members of the Anniston Fire Department to allow them to share what a great loss to the community this was. Lt. Roberts dedicated himself to his family first and then to citizens of Anniston by responding to fires, vehicle crashes and medical emergencies.
Lt. Roberts loved being a Fire Fighter and Paramedic. During the course of his career, he has saved and rescued an untold number of people that needed help during an emergency event. He was fearless when someone’s home was on fire and worked courageously to stop the fire as quickly as possible. Lt. Roberts became one of 12 Lieutenant’s in a department of 81 in January of 2015 and was ultimately responsible for station five, located at 2500 Henry Rd near the Donoho School.
Fire Chief Jeff Waldrep said Lt. Roberts will be greatly missed as he was “An excellent leader and mentor to many of the other firefighters in the department.” He also went on to say “Justin was very involved with the department and enjoyed teaching the younger guys.” The Chief then explained how difficult it is to lose someone like this. It is a dangerous job as it is, but with the current pandemic it has become more challenging for our first responders.
Lieutenant Clint Dover recalls one specific fire from 2003 when the 10th floor of the Amsouth building was on fire. Lt. Dover stated that when they arrived on scene “Justin got out and looked up and said ‘Let’s go to work’.” For the next eleven hours Engine Companies 1 and 2 attacked the fire from the interior and Justin “Just kept going and wouldn’t quit.” Assistant Chief Phelps went on to say “For Justin it was never about himself; it was all about helping someone else”. Lt. Roberts was a “Die hard firefighter” and a “Die hard family man”. Assistant Chief Phelps continued, they started together and went through recruit training at the same time and both started with Anniston Fire Department and have remained strong friends ever since. He was a “Funny guy that could lighten the tension of a stressful event and was always a lot of fun to be around.”
Captain Jason Brown also added that Justin “Was not just a fireman, he was a mentor and teacher to the next generation of firefighters.” Lt. Roberts would always be available to the other medics and firefighters that needed help or guidance. He believed in sharing information with others in order to help them become the fire fighters they wanted to be. “Justin was a people person” who enjoyed the interactions he had with everyone.
When Lt. Clint Dover started his first day at Anniston Fire Department, he met Lt. Roberts, who had just been removed as low man on the rookie totem pole. Lt. Dover said it was common for the more experienced guys to not talk to the new guys for a while but Justin was the first one to talk to him. Since that time they became very close friends both on the job and in their personal lives. Lt. Dover and Lt. Roberts both have 16 year old boys that were born only ten days apart and they saw each other as family. Lt. Dover stated “Justin was devoted to his family and he was devoted to his community,” he loved his wife and son so very deeply and would look forward to spending time with them. Assistant Chief Phelps interjected, “There were often times that he would pass on going out with friends just to stay home with his wife and son.” Lt. Dover said that only a week before Lt. Roberts became ill, they sat on his front porch and just “Hung out.” Lt. Dover said how much he will miss his friend stopping by to sit on that porch. He also discussed a “club” that was started by Lt. Roberts called the “Wednesday Night Social Club.” This was a place where firefighters could get together and tell war stories, discuss difficult runs that they had, difficulties they were experiencing, or just to have a few laughs with friendly faces. Lt. Dover said “It is a place to get together and destress and decompress.”
When not at work, Lt. Roberts did a lot to be close and active with his family. He was profoundly proud of them and looked forward to every minute with them. He was known to coach his son’s teams when he was playing and enjoyed just being with him. He was so proud of his family that when his friends went to clean out his locker they found pictures of them all over the inside.
When asked about COVID and their exposure, all of the firefighters that the Calhoun Journal spoke with, said that exposure is extremely high. With Lt. Roberts also being a paramedic, he was extremely likely to be exposed due to his physical interactions with patients that were sick and the exposure from having to enter hospitals so often to deliver patients. Many times they would respond to calls where a patient had already been diagnosed with COVID but now needs to be transported to a hospital because of health deterioration. This puts the first responder directly in contact with the disease, but Lt. Roberts never said no and was willing to help the sick to get to the doctors they needed.
The citizens of Anniston owe this Hero a great deal of thanks for his years of watching over them. It is not about how he passed, but the number of people he has been able to rescue and save. It is about his story while he was here. If you would like to help the family of Lt. Roberts, the Anniston Firefighters Association Local 508 and Lt. Clint Dover currently have a GoFundMe account open. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the family.
Calhoun County Commissioners have issued a press release that “All Calhoun County buildings are to lower their flags to half-staff effective immediately in memory of Anniston Fire Department Lieutenant Justin Roberts. Flags shall remain lowered until the morning after he is laid to rest.” ~ Carolyn Henderson, Chairman
Lt. Roberts Funeral Arrangements are as follows:
Sunday August 22nd, 2021
Bynum Leatherwood Baptist
2709 Old Gadsden Hwy
Anniston, Al 36206
- Visitation 1pm – 4pm
Service 4pm - Full Procession to graveside
- Middleton Cemetery behind Oak Bowery Church on 144
3300 Al- 144
Ohatchee, Al 36271 - Full Fire Fighter Honors
Please let Clint Dover know if your Department will have a truck in the procession. Contact number – (256)-452-2559
Lieutenant Justin Roberts, the Calhoun County Journal thanks you for your service.
