Lieutenant Randy Parker passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in the line of duty with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department. His loss has been felt across the entire department, community, state, and country, and the amount of support, prayers, and words of encouragement have been greatly appreciated and needed by the people impacted the greatest by the tragic fire on that night.

The Parker family will receive friends and the community as Lieutenant Parker lies in state at the Macon-Bibb County Government Center (700 Poplar Street) on Sunday, February 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. On Monday, February 16, a service celebrating Lieutenant Parker’s life will be held at the City Auditorium on Cherry Street at 11:00 a.m. Both events are open to the entire community to join in remembering and celebrating Lieutenant Parker’s life and the impact he had on our lives.

Parking & Road Closures
There has been an overwhelming amount of support from fire departments and first responders around the state and country, and it is anticipated that the processional will include a large number of emergency vehicles and representatives from fellow responders. As information can change leading up to the Celebration of Life because of traffic or additional needs, please check back to this site regularly. Also, be prepared to follow all instructions of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement since they will be able to best help you find parking and get to the Auditorium.

Click here to download the map of street closures and the route.

To accommodate that and prepare for the processional, several blocks will be closed to vehicle traffic from 11:00 p.m. Sunday until about 3:00 p.m. Monday. This includes Poplar Street northbound between Second and First Streets and Cherry Street from New Street to Second Street.

From 8:00 am. – 3:00 p.m. Monday, First Street from Cotton Avenue to Riverside Drive will be closed. (Cross streets will remain open to traffic until the processional is ready to begin.) Once the service is over, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will close the entire route to vehicle traffic.

For the Service, non-family attendees should follow directions of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office to parking. Overflow parking will run from the open lot across Riverside Drive where Central Services used to be located and a shuttle will help move people to the Auditorium and back.

Parking along the following streets will be closed from 11:00 p.m. Sunday until approximately 3:00 p.m. Monday. NOTE: There will NOT be ‘No Parking Signs.

– Poplar Street from First to Second Street, both north and south bound sides.
– Cherry Street from New Street to Second Street.
– First Street from Poplar to Riverside Drive.

Crews from Parks and Beautification will begin putting out barricades and cones at 10:00 p.m. Sunday night. Message boards provided by Monroe County will be placed on Riverside Drive to help with parking and along the route.

Road Closure & Route Map

Click here to download the above map of street closures and the route.

Procession
From the City Auditorium, vehicles will travel along First Street past Government Center to the Fire Department Headquarters, turn left on Oglethorpe Street, turn right on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, turn left on Houston Road, veer right to continue on Houston Road, and continue to Glen Haven Memorial Gardens at 7070 Houston Road.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will direct people into line for the procession.

 Click here to download the above map of street closures and the route.

Supporting the Parkers
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the “Lt. Randy E. Parker, Jr. Memorial Fund” at the following locations.

 About Lieutenant Randy Parker
Lt. Parker was born in Warner Robins, GA, to the late Randall E. Parker, Sr., was a graduate of Parkway High School in Bossier City, LA where he was a member of the Louisiana All State/All Star High School Band, and will be remembered as an inspiration and mentor to all who knew him.

Lt. Parker served with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department since July 2, 1990, was a faithful member of Christ Chapel Sportstowne, and consistently demonstrated a love for his Lord, wife, sons, and family. He went above and beyond his role as a loving husband, involved father, and exceptional firefighter. He was actively involved with his church, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way of Central Georgia, American Cancer Socierty, and the International Cherry Blossom Festival.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express tributes.

Firefighter Photographs

Lt. Randy Parker

Battalion Chief Stafford

Capt Ferrell Cromer

Priv. Ben Bolinger

Priv. Matthew Couey

Priv. Adam Michie