With a heavy heart, the City of Statesboro announced Thursday that Fire Lieutenant Christopher Applebee had passed away.
Applebee passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021, at the age of 43. He was a beloved husband to his wife Tracy and loving father to his son Caden and daughter Navee.
“I ask the citizens of Statesboro to keep Lt. Applebee’s family and the Statesboro Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers,” said Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar. “His coworkers at the fire department described Lt. Applebee as a true embodiment of public service with a passion for firefighting. His presence will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
Lt. Applebee joined the Statesboro Fire Department in 2011 as a part time firefighter and became a full time firefighter in 2014. He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Lieutenant in August of 2016. He also served as an arson investigator for the department and was a member of the department’s Honor Guard.
Lt. Applebee had a heart for service and taught firefighting and extrication throughout the Southeast. Additionally, he served as a volunteer firefighter with Bulloch County Fire Department and primarily responded from the county’s Fire Station #5.
Mayor McCollar has ordered city flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Lt. Applebee. Funeral arrangements have not been released at this time.
