Danville sores the loss of Kaleb Barker, a dedicated firefighter and a loving family man

Danville, va. (WSET) – The Danville Fire Department mourns the loss of firefighter Kaleb Barker, who died tragically on Tuesday night, in an accidental shooting. Barker, who joined the department in 2020, was remembered by his colleagues as a dedicated and loved member of the team.

The Department of Firefighters Danville said that Barker was so loved and appreciated by everyone around him and that the presence, friendship and dedication for the job will always be valued and never forgotten.

“Kaleb was a very special person. He had such a unique personality, a great sense of humor,” said chief David Coffey.

Coffey praised Barker’s passion for his work. “He wanted to be a firefighter. You see many of these children who just wanted a job; he wanted more than a job, he wanted to be a fireman,” Coffey said.

The head of the battalion, Thomas Napier, described Barker to be around. “He has always been in a good disposition; I never saw him in a bad mood,” Napier said. “He was, as I said, only a guy was a joy to be around.”

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Barker’s loss left a significant goal in the department. “If something has to be resolved, it didn’t wait for someone else to do it. He did it himself,” Coffey said. “It’s something you don’t always see in a new recruit.”

Napier, who worked closely with Barker, noted his mechanical skills and humility. “He was the guy who didn’t boast about it. It was very humble,” Napier said. “It was amazing to seek to interact with the boys, even with some of the older ones he could recognize as the great things he was going to do here.”

“He had only a mechanical aptitude that you hope each fireman would have and will be deeply missed,” Coffey said. “If I had more than 114 just like him, this would be a wonderful fire.”

Barker was also a devoted family man, a loving husband of his wife Natalie and a proud father for his boy, Noah. Napier remembered with love: “I said that I kept his son on the free day every day. I called the Lord, but he loved that little boy.”

In Barker’s honor, his fire engine will be displayed on Sunday at his funeral. The department also set up a donation page for Barker’s family. Those wishing to contribute can click Here.