'He Was An Icon': Hogan Orders Flags Lowered For Fallen Cecil County Firefighter

NORTH EAST, Md. (WJZ) -- Gov. Larry Hogan Tuesday ordered the lowering of Maryland flags to half-staff in honor of a longtime Cecil County firefighter who died over the weekend.

Otis L. Isaacs, Jr., 73, died at his home in North East Sunday after suffering a medical emergency. Earlier that day, he had responded to the firehouse for a call and served as a backup crew in case another call came in, North East Fire Company spokesperson Howard Ewing said.

Isaacs was a former chief, president and chief engineer for the North East Fire Company and was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Hall of Fame in 2003, the agency said.

"We are forever grateful for the knowledge, experience, and dedication that he instilled in each and every single person he encountered," a post on the fire company's Facebook page reads. "There are no amount of words that could sum up the loss of Otis Jr., and our deepest condolences are with the Isaacs family during this time."

Isaacs was one of several members of his family to join the company, getting his start in July 1964.

"He was an icon of this department," Ewing said.

Fire Chief Michael Miller said Isaacs was a mentor to many of the younger members of the company.

A full fire department funeral is planned for January 4 at noon at the Crouch Funeral Home in North East.

After the funeral, an antique fire truck will take Isaacs' body to the cemetery.

Isaacs is survived by his wife, Dollie; four children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, according to his obituary.

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• Cecil County
• Baltimore