ROCKINGHAM — Two more Richmond County names have been added to the list of recipients of the state’s highest civilian honor.
Now-retired Dave Davis and Harold Isler, respectively the former Parks and Recreation director and fire chief, were honored Wednesday with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
“I think they’re both going to be surprised by this, but it’s well-earned and it’s deserved,” said City Manager Monty Crump, himself an OLLP recipient, said during the joint retirement party on June 24.
The awards were presented by Gene McLaurin, former Rockingham mayor and state senator and current chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
“The word got to Raleigh about these two gentlemen retiring from Rockingham city government and the impact that they’ve had — not only on Rockingham and Richmond County, but on the whole state of North Carolina,” McLaurin said.
According to a post from the city, Davis spent four decades transforming the city’s Parks and Recreation Department “into a thriving program that has enriched the lives of thousands of youth and families through a wide variety of sports leagues, summer camps, special events, and recreational opportunities.”
“His influence extended beyond Rockingham as a respected high school and collegiate sports official throughout the Southeast,” the post continues. “More importantly, Dave has served as a mentor and role model whose commitment to youth development, sportsmanship, and community pride has shaped generations and strengthened the quality of life in Rockingham.”
Isler started as chief of the Rockingham Fire Department in August of 2014 — overseeing a blaze at the flea market his first day — becoming the first African-American to lead the department. Prior to coming to Rockingham, Isler served 17 years with the Goldsboro Fire Department.
In 2022, RFD was awarded a Class 2 Insurance Services Office rating. At the time, only around 60 of the state’s more than 1,200 departments had a rating of 2 or higher.
According to the city’s post, Isler “also played a key role in developing the Executive Fire Officer Program at Richmond Community College, helping educate and mentor future fire service leaders through his extensive knowledge and experience.”
The city previously announced that Austin Parker is succeeding Isler as chief, and Blake Kelly will fill Davis’ shoes as parks and rec director.
“The City of Rockingham extends its deepest gratitude to Dave Davis and Harold Isler for their decades of dedicated public service and unwavering commitment to the citizens of Rockingham and the great State of North Carolina,” reads the city’s post. “Their leadership, integrity, and countless contributions have left an enduring mark on our community and will continue to inspire future generations.”
Richmond County has seen its share of OLLP recipients over the past decade including (but not a complete list): former Rockingham mayor G.R. Kindley; former Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood; former Hamlet fire chief Calvin White and former police chief Scott Waters; former East Rockingham fire chief Bill Dennis; the late Dr. Fred McQueen; former Richmond County sheriff’s deputy Sam Jarrell; former Richmond County Commissioner Thad Ussery; former FirstHealth EMS director Tommy Cook; former Dobbins Heights leaders Gracie Jackson, Channie McManus and Robert Broady; David Pearson, former executive director of Samaritan Colony; Nellie Parsons, former co-owner and operator of Pate’s Cleaners and Village Laundry; former district attorney Reece Saunders; attorney Bill Webb; Willa Spivey; Jim and Marcia Lambeth; and William “Pete” Ussery.
