Our condolences to the Woodward family and the Blackman, Florida Volunteer Fire Department. Captain Daniel Neil Woodward, 32, a 4 year veteran firefighter with the Blackman Volunteer Fire Department died Wednesday, September 26, 2001. Neil died of apparent cardiac arrest after a fire broke out in his home.

     Neil was on the phone with his wife, a paramedic who has been volunteering for the last week in New York, when he heard his smoke detector sounding and saw smoke coming from the bathroom door of his home. He awoke his daughter and waited outside for firefighters to arrive. When firefighters arrived, he assisted them in extinguished the electrical fire. Thirty minutes after the home was ventilated, Neil complained of minor chest pain, collapsed, and lost consciousness. Attempts to revive him after arriving at the hospital were unsuccessful.

     Neil was a dedicated public servant and was currently serving as a Blackman firefighter, the Andalusia Rescue Squad, Covington County 911 dispatcher, and safety representative for Chevron Oil Co. He graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School in 1987, and was a firefighter for Destin Fire Department, then received his law enforcement standards in 1991 and was with the Okaloosa Sheriff's Department for eight years. He then received his EMT certification from LBW Junior College in Andalusia, Alabama.

     Visitation will be Saturday, September 29, from 5-7PM at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach. A memorial service will be held at Sunday, September 30, 3PM, at the Destin Methodist Church on Beach Drive in Destin. A memorial tribute will be held Tuesday October 2, 7PM, at Baker School stadium, sponsored by the Blackman Fire Department.

     Our brother Neil left behind his wife, Cindy, and his children, Kathryn Lee, Cody Daniel, Molly Elizabeth, and his stepchildren, Ashley and Brandon Martin. An memorial account has been established at the E to benefit Neil's family. Checks should be made out to Cindy Woodward, and sent to: