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A Clark’s Chapel volunteer firefighter died Saturday evening while swimming at Secret Falls in Highlands.
A Facebook post from the fire department said Joseph Orr, 25, of Franklin, died doing what he loved – enjoying the great outdoors.
The department post said that although Orr was relatively new to fire service, “the dedication and passion he showed to community service far surpassed his time in the service. Joseph was eager to learn, and always there to help with any and all challenges. Joseph was a good friend and brother to all of us.”
Dakota Rholetter, a firefighter with Otto Fire & Rescue, said he lost a “great friend, a loyal brother and a fellow firefighter.”
The two became friends when Orr worked at Franklin Health and Fitness, and they later worked together at Ingles.
Rholetter said Orr was a man of “pure will and determination” who had hopes of one day becoming a full-time firefighter with Franklin Fire & Rescue. “It takes a special kind of person to be willing to serve their community and make it better. I got the honor and privilege to serve beside him on a few calls and he was ready and willing to learn, and he wanted to be the best firefighter and person he could possibly be.”
Rholetter said after hearing the news about his friend, many memories came to mind. “Through all the memories one thing sticks out the most: There was never a time when Joseph didn’t meet me with a smile, even on his hard days and that is what makes Joseph such a great friend,” he said. “Joseph is not only admirable, but he is also inspirational, and I am very thankful I was able to be his friend.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses.
Incident report
A call came into the 911 center at 6:53 p.m. that a man swimming under the falls was drowning. The 911 log shows at 7:06 p.m. the subjects had called back and said they had gotten the man out of the water and attempted CPR with no success.
Highlands Fire Department, Macon County EMS, Macon County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement responded to the scene at 2959 Walkingstick Road, Highlands. The medical examiner was dispatched to the scene at 7:17 p.m.
Glenville-Cashiers Rescue was asked to assist with accessing and transporting the patient and Scaly Mountain Fire Department was on standby.