Just as many U.S. warfighters have not let their injuries restrain them, a Volusia County firefighter has passed a milestone in his career.

After a quarter of a century of putting out blazes and rendering treatment to those needing emergency medical care, the county’s first amputee firefighter has retired. Lt. Bill Henry has left the Volusia County Fire Rescue. Henry, who has been the past five years at the county’s Station 42 on DeLand’s north side, joined the county agency in 1999 as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. Prior to making the fire service his career, he served as one of its volunteers.

In 2000, Henry was severely injured in a motorcycle accident. Although the portion of his left leg below the knee had to be amputated, he persevered and continued to respond to emergencies. Henry became the first amputee firefighter in the U.S.

Throughout his active career, Henry was able to climb ladders and carry heavy loads of equipment, as well as crawling into small spaces. He wore a special boot that fit over the prosthetic leg.