The Liberty Fire Department marked a historic milestone on Friday, July 11, during its annual banquet held at the Elks Lodge. In addition to recognizing outstanding firefighters and first responders for their service over the past year, the department proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary as an agency dedicated to protecting the Liberty community.
Founded in 1925, the Liberty Fire Department has grown from a small volunteer force into a professional organization that now includes both paid and volunteer personnel. Over the past century, just nine individuals have held the title of fire chief, including current Chief Brian Hurst, who has led the department since 2015. Former fire chief Jamie Galloway (1994–2004) was in attendance, adding a special touch of legacy to the celebration.
The banquet served as both a moment of reflection and a time to recognize the commitment and achievements of today’s firefighters. Service awards were presented to: Paul Pennington, Zander Powell, Hailey Good, Daniel Elsner, James Gause, Josue Morales, and Craig Powell for three years of service; Robert Edmonds and Justin Smith for five years; and Brian Hurst and Misty Dulaney for 20 years.
Special recognition was given to Mathew Miller, who swept three major honors: Top Responder, Volunteer of the Year, and Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Jocelyn Diaz was named Paid Rookie of the Year, and Sean Crump earned the title of Paid Firefighter of the Year.
The evening was also a time to celebrate the legacy of those who built the department into what it is today. Life members Dennis Beasley, J.B. Sheperd, and Larry Kudro shared heartfelt stories that underscored the department’s deep sense of duty and brotherhood.
Kudro, who served 30 years as a firefighter in Liberty, became emotional as he spoke about the department’s impact on his life.
“The best experience of my life for about 30 years was volunteering,” he said. Speaking of Liberty Fire Department, Kudro added, “It is a great organization. These are my family. There isn’t nothing better in the world.”
He fondly recalled former chief, the late Ben E. Pickett, who led the department from 1958 to 1987, calling him “the lifeblood of the department.”
“Nobody knew fire science like Ben. He was one fantastic man,” Kudro said.
Sheperd, who served in the 1970s and 80s while working as a city bill collector and meter reader, reflected on his dual role in public service.
“I would respond to fires in my city truck,” he said with a smile. “It was an honor. It gets in your blood when you hear that fire whistle go off,” he said.
Beasley, a second-generation firefighter and the son of the late C.E. “Doc” Beasley, shared childhood memories of tagging along to fires with his father. He spoke about the early days of the department when Liberty’s businessmen made up the volunteer force and women were not yet allowed to serve.
When asked to recall the most challenging fire in Liberty Fire Department’s history, many of those with a knowledge of the history would say it was the Hebert Distribution fire on July 28, 1977—a blaze so massive that flames shot high into the air, creating a fireball visible for miles. The fire began when an employee, after fueling a pickup truck at the dock, drove off with the pump still attached. The pump was toppled, sparking a fire that quickly spread. Large fuel storage tanks and a Chevron tanker on site intensified the blaze.
Located at 424 U.S. Highway 90, the facility—then known as the Hebert Distribution Center—is now operated by Senergy Petroleum, following a sale in 2018. The fire burned for half a day and completely demolished the business, which was later rebuilt by the late John Hebert Sr., father of Liberty’s current mayor, John Hebert Jr. Fortunately, there were no fatalities and only minor injuries, thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of Liberty Fire Department and surrounding agencies.
Firefighters who responded to the blaze still recall it as the largest and most dangerous fire in Liberty’s history—and they all share the same sentiment: that such a fire is never seen again.
The fire station on Lakeland Drive is adorned with a mural that was inspired by the Hebert Distribution Center fire.
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