Pope Retires After A Quarter Century of Service

Some refer to it as a brotherhood, others describe it as a family connection, though not through blood but a commitment to the job. You find them in small communities and large cities. On small islands such as Useppa off the coast of Lee County and in large metropolitan areas such as Miami-Dade County. They are firefighters and are a special breed of professionals who serve their communities everywhere across this nation.

It was recently announced that two of our own would be retiring in the next 60 days. Captain James Pope walked out of Station 51 at 7:45 am on Sunday, August 8, after serving the residents of Marco Island for the last 25 years. Later this Fall, Battalion Chief Chris Crossan will depart after serving 29 years. Between them, they have served over half a century here on the island at a job that both would say has treated them well.

On August 7, the “B” Shift personnel, with which both Pope and Crossan have served, assembled for dinner and a little lighthearted ribbing of Pope during his final dinner with those with whom he had served so long.

Pope joined the department on June 15, 1996, after he and his then girlfriend (they eventually married) ventured down to Southwest Florida from the Orlando area to see if it might be an area they would enjoy. He had attended fire school in Orlando and received his certification prior to coming to Southwest Florida. After a brief stint working for Collier EMS, Pope was hired by Marco Fire-Rescue. 

The department in Marco was going through a transitory period involving the flight of personnel seeking better opportunities for advancement and pay. The city recognized the issues and made the necessary adjustments to retain personnel.

Since joining the department in 1996, Pope has made significant contributions to the department. He received his paramedic certification and became a leader within the department serving as peer fitness trainer, rescue boat operator, member of the Combat Challenge Team and a long-term member of the Firefighter Pension Board. He also assisted with updating department policies and procedures.

When asked what call stood out most in his mind, he didn’t hesitate. It was a marine rescue call which required them to respond to a vessel in distress 16 miles south of the island. A family of six were clinging to their overturned vessel in the darkness. Pope and his crew guided their boat to the original coordinates and were able to rescue the entire family under the direst of circumstances.

Like all firefighters, Pope vividly remembers his first working structure fire. It was on Apple Court in the middle of a storm. He had been with the department only a few weeks and they were short staffed with only two men on the apparatus. He laughed as he recalled the details of that night, and reminisced about other calls.

When “B” Shift gathered at Station 50 for their last meal together with Captain Pope as a member of the department, they were asked to use one word to describe their captain. Decent, steady, mentor, courageous, calm, fair and dependable were among some of the descriptive phrases. However, in the end, the one phrase that hit home was the word “Brother.”

Thank you, Captain James Pope, for 25 great years.