The Association is saddened to announce the passing of retired Captain II Ron Deskins. Captain Deskins passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2022, after a long illness.

Captain Deskins left his mark on the Department but also played a crucial role in Virginia history. On February 2, 1959, a young Ronald Deskins, then 12, was one of four students to integrate Virginia public schools when he began attending Arlington County’s Stratford Junior High School. On that morning, they had to have a police escort to ensure their safety. Now named Dorothy Hamm Middle School, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Captain Deskins and the three other children are well remembered on campus with a plaque, a mural, and an outdoor walkway that includes images of each of the children.

Fourteen years later, in 1973, Captain Deskins became the fifth African-American firefighter hired by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, graduating from the 28^th Recruit Class . Just two years after his hiring, then Firefighter Deskins helped found Northern Virginia Minority Firefighters Combined.

In 1984, Captain Deskins became one of the original members of what would become the Technical Rescue Operations Team (TROT). He would go on to work at various TROT Fire stations and served as the Station Commander at Co. 14 for nearly 5 years. He retired in 2007 after serving 34 dedicated years of service with the Department.

No information regarding a memorial service has been forthcoming, but will be shared if it becomes available.