Firefighter Daniel Neil Woodward Blackman Volunteer Fire Department (FL) 2001

Neil was the ultimate public servant. A volunteer firefighter since he was 13 years old, a sheriff's deputy for 8 years, and a nationally-registered EMT the last year and a half.

At the age of 11, he was following the firefighters around the station in Destin, Florida. At the age of 12, he became a junior firefighter, and by 14 he was the Lieutenant of the junior firefighters. Neil stayed with the Destin Fire Department for many years, becoming a paid firefighter after he graduated from high school.

Public service was a big part of his life after his family. Neil had three children, Kathryn, Cody, and Molly, and two stepchildren, Ashley and Brandon. He was a great father and a great husband to his wife Cindy. Neil was always giving of his time and his abilities, rarely thinking of himself. Thirty-two years was not enough time for all that he had to give.