Fairfax County Fire And Rescue Captain Dies In Line Of Duty

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Barry Maham, a captain with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, died this week following a battle with cancer tied to his occupation, the agency said Tuesday.

Maham, a 25-year veteran of the department, died Monday, according to a news release. Maham was hired in 1999 and also was a member of the department’s urban search and rescue team, deploying to disasters both locally and around the world.

The agency said he recently retired to focus on fighting repeated recurrences of cancer.

"Capt. Maham was an exceptional leader, mentor, and friend," Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said in a statement. "He served the department with unwavering dedication that no doubt will have a lasting impact on the department and community."

At a retirement celebration held for Maham in November, Brigadier Gen. Bob Brodie presented him with an American flag flown over the Pentagon, the 911 Memorial in New York City, the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania and the U.S. Capitol.

“You’re a community leader and, quite frankly, I think you’re the definition of a hero. Someone that gives to others and asks nothing in return," Brodie said during the event, according to a WJLA report.

In addition to working at Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Maham volunteered with Veterans Fishing Adventures, a nonprofit dedicated to taking disabled veterans on free fishing trips.

He is survived by his wife, Amber, and his five children.