Belmont Fire Chief Todd Davis Announces Retirement After Distinguished Career in Public Service
After a distinguished career in public service, Belmont Fire Chief Todd Davis has announced his plans to retire from the City of Belmont effective February 1, 2025. This marks Chief Davis’s second retirement, following his 30 years of dedicated service with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, from which he retired in October 2019.
A lifelong resident of Gaston County, Chief Davis was raised in Cramerton, where he also graduated from South Point High School and currently resides. His journey in public service began at an early age, when he volunteered with the Cramerton Fire Department during high school. After graduation, Chief Davis enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as an Operations Specialist and Petty Officer 3rd Class aboard the USS Joseph Hewes, earning an honorable discharge after three years of service.
Following his military career, Chief Davis pursued a path in law enforcement, attending Gaston College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training. He was hired by the Cramerton Police Department in May 1993. In January 2000, he entered the North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Basic Patrol School, graduating in July 2000 with the 102nd Basic Patrol School class. Chief Davis served as a Master Trooper in Gaston County until his retirement from the State Highway Patrol in October 2019.
On November 4, 2019, Chief Davis joined the Belmont Police Department as a Lieutenant. He was promoted to Interim Police Captain in August 2020, later becoming a full-time Captain in July 2021. His extensive background in law enforcement and knowledge of the fire service, paired with his exceptional leadership, led to his appointment as Interim Fire Chief in 2022. He was officially promoted to Fire Chief in October 2022, where he has since led the Belmont Fire Department with distinction.
Chief Davis shared his thoughts on retirement: “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Belmont community in both law enforcement and most recently in the fire service. I am truly humbled by the support provided to the everyday heroes in this line of work. I will miss my friends and coworkers and will keep them
all in my thoughts and prayers as they risk their lives on a daily basis for everyone.”
The entire City Council, consisting of Kathryn Lewis, Jim Hefferan, Charlie Hill, Jason Rumfelt, and Alex Szucs, expresses sincere gratitude for Chief Davis’s unwavering commitment and dedication to the City of Belmont. Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hefferan remarked, “Chief Davis has always put the lives of our citizens above his own welfare. He has dedicated the majority of his life to serving others, and I hope he can now take time to spend with his family, looking back on a successful and fulfilling career.”
Throughout his tenure as Fire Chief, Chief Davis has overseen numerous important initiatives, including
- Ensuring that all supervisory members of the Fire Department completed the Public Safety Leadership Institute.
- Completing the Fire Station Location Analysis study.
- Updating critical fire equipment.
- Managing the reorganization of the Fire Department.
- Leading the design and construction of the new ladder truck.
A formal celebration of Chief Davis’s service to the City of Belmont will be announced in the coming weeks.