My Turn: Chief Todd Davis exemplifies service above self

If you live in Belmont, North Carolina, you’re in good hands in case of an emergency. Todd Davis, the fire chief and his staff are well-prepared to help you. As a leader, he draws from a deep well of experience.

I sat down with him recently to learn his story. Raised in Cramerton, Todd joined the Cramerton Volunteer Fire Department in 1988 while he was still in high school. Public service doesn’t always begin with a servant-leadership attitude in teenage years, but for Todd, it did and the lights went on for him as he helped people. He found the fulfillment in doing for others as he wanted them to do to him.

After graduating South Point High School in 1989, he served in the U.S. Navy 1989-1992 before beginning his law enforcement career with the Cramerton Police Department 1993.

Is it possible that a single individual could be more of a public servant? Well, yes, his story gets better. He began his career in the N.C. Highway Patrol in Gaston County and served from 2000-2019 when he retired.

For Todd, retired means “Re-fired” because he began his next stint as a patrol captain for Belmont Police from 2019-2022.

Now, he’s serving as the Belmont fire chief and enjoying a new appointment with the Gaston County Fire Commission.

Along the way, he’s coached football, wrestling, and baseball at Cramerton Middle School 2007-2011; football and baseball at South Point from 2012-2021; and served as a member of South Fork Masonic Lodge, Oasis Shrine, and the American Legion.

But the people that know him best are his friends like Sheriff Chad Hawkins who writes:

“Todd And I served on the Cramerton Fire Department together before I went to BLET. After graduating he was one of my training officers. Todd was tough on trainees because he wanted them to be the best. He never let friendship get in the way of doing what was right. Todd always held me accountable and I am better for it today. As Todd was about to retire from the NCSHP, I ask him what he was going to do. He responded  ‘nothing.’ I told him I needed him to become part of the team at Belmont Police Department. I specifically needed his structure and work ethic. Todd quickly changed his mind and jumped on board. He was very instrumental in helping us achieve accreditation and was a great leader and mentor to all team members.”

Service above self is his calling card. As a public official, his stellar service is indicative of what makes Gaston County a great place to live.

Ray Hardee is senior pastor at The Pointe Church in Belmont.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: My Turn: Chief Todd Davis exemplifies service above self