First responders joined officials from the eastern region Saturday to commemorate the sacrifice one Washington man made in the line of duty.

Edward Peed, a member of the all-black Salamander Unit of firefighters, was the first Washington firefighter to die in the line of duty and, according to records, North Carolina’s first black fireman to die in the of duty. He was a 20-year veteran of the force — the fateful fire, one that swept through warehouses on the Washington waterfront. The year was 1902.

Firefighters from Bunyan, Pactolus, Clarks Neck and Greenville forces attended the ceremony at Washington Fire Station No. 1, along with a representative from the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation, city council members and a special guest speaker, North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Cheri Beasley.

Prior to Mayor Mac Hodges’ brief history of Peed’s sacrifice, longtime Human Relations Council member Florence Lodge was honored by the HRC for her leadership role in keeping the Peed tradition alive. Lodge had Washington Fire Chief Robbie Rose, Washington Police and Fire Services Director Stacy Drakeford and Human Relations Council Chair Allen Hughes join her in lighting a candle in honor of Peed.

When Beasley took the podium, she first thanked all the first responders for their often overlooked service and sacrifice for the community. Beasley then told those gathered how remarkable it is that the Washington’s firefighters and residents alike continue to honor Peed, a tradition that has drawn black and white people together over the years, even during times when such an event would likely have been unpopular. That the commemoration of one man still brings them together should be an example for other North Carolina towns, Beasley said.

“The impetus is Mr. Peed, but the purpose is so much greater,” Beasley said. “I think it’s a wonderful marker for the city. For the city to continue to do make this effort is huge. What a wonderful example this sets for the state of North Carolina.”

Following tradition, a memorial wreath was laid on Peed’s monument outside the fire station. Since 1980, between 77 and 140 U.S. firefighters have died in the line of duty each year, with the exception of 2001, when 448 died, 343 of which responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.