Three area firefighters were honored for their dedication to serving their communities Saturday. Robert Cooper, as well as the families of the late David McCrady and the late Rick Montaque, were presented with the Kentucky Firefighters Association Gerald Stewart Legacy Award.
According to Pat Thompson, the KFA vice president at large, the Legacy Award was created to recognize firefighters who are big contributors at the local level but not necessarily enough at the state level to qualify for the KFA Hall of Fame.
Each regional association is allowed to present the award to up to two firefighters per year. The Green River Firefighters Association (GRAF) didn’t present the awards last year due to not having the annual conference, so presente three this year.
The GRAF awards were presented Saturday night at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Robert Cooper
Cooper is a past president (and held other positions) of the GRFA. He is a longtime firefighter and former chief of the Thruston Philpot Fire Department in Daviess County.
“Robert has been very instrumental in our success over the years. If there’s something to be done, Robert is there — and usually one hour before everyone else. He’s not on our board anymore, but he’s still so involved,” Thompson said.
David McCrady (posthumous award)
McCrady died in 2017 at age 50. He was a retired Owensboro battalion chief and was also a member of the Thruston Philpot Fire Department. He is a past president of the GRFA. David passed away from a fire service related cancer. After his cancer diagnosis, David taught firefighter cancer awareness classes across the state.
“He was a big advocate in the push for the presumptive firefighter legislation that was eventually passed by the Kentucky General Assembly years ago. Cancer legislation was a big thing that he pushed. He had it for several years before he eventually passed away,” Thompson said.
Rick Montaque (posthumous award)
Montaque died in 2020 at the age of 66. He served with the Hawesville Fire Department in Hancock County. He is a former president of the GRAF and served as chief of HFD for 26 years. He was involved in the fire service for nearly 40 years.
“He was instrumental in the success of the GRFA. He and his department were hugely instrumental in the development of the mobile smoke trailers (fire training trailers),” Thompson said.
