Moncks Corner, SC – Motorists in Berkeley County should expect significant delays on U.S. 52 this Friday, October 3, as a large funeral procession honors Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department Deputy Chief Jimmy Townsend.
According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the procession will depart from The Grove Church on Ben Barron Lane in Moncks Corner around 1 p.m. Friday. The escort will travel southbound on U.S. 52 through Berkeley County into North Charleston, concluding at Carolina Memorial Gardens, 7113 Rivers Avenue.
Deputy Chief Townsend, who served with the Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department since 1990, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 28, after suffering an off-duty cardiac event only hours after responding to a call. He was a Legacy Fire Marshal and a member of both the SCIAAI and IAAI.
The sheriff’s office reported that approximately 40–50 fire trucks and public safety vehicles will participate, traveling at about 35 mph. Drivers should plan for slowdowns and temporary closures along U.S. 52 and nearby roadways. Officials recommend allowing extra travel time and using alternate routes if possible.
The viewing for Deputy Chief Townsend begins at 11 a.m. Friday at The Grove Church, followed by a memorial service at noon before the procession. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carolina Children’s Charity.
Community members are encouraged to show patience and respect along the route as first responders honor a longtime fire service leader whose loss leaves “a crater in our hearts that will never be able to be filled,” according to the fire department.
