Capt. Stiles was born on May 1, 1928 in Etowah, Tennessee. He passed away in Richmond, Kentucky on January 2, 2014. In between, he led a life of service that can only be described as legendary. A former firefighter, law enforcement officer, and the best auto mechanic in Madison County, he was a charter member of the Madison County Rescue Squad, Inc. He served from the Squad's founding in 1975 until his death and was the Squad's captain and chief executive officer for more than twenty years.
Widely known as an expert on water rescue and the recovery of drowning victims, Capt. Stiles was regularly called to assist with drowning recovery in other jurisdictions. He was also an expert in the art and science of vehicle extrication; his experience working with vehicles led him to develop extrication techniques that have since become common. Capt. Stiles served for many years as an instructor at the Eastern Kentucky University Rescue School and shared his knowledge freely with rescue personnel from across the Commonwealth and elsewhere.
His commitment to the Madison County Rescue Squad, Inc. is typified by the fact that he never missed a regular squad business meeting during his first quarter-century of service. His record of perfect attendance for more than twenty-five years is unlikely to be equaled. He remains Kentucky's oldest known active rescue officer; he was honored for this achievement in 2008 on the occasion of his 80th birthday. He continued active rescue service until late 2013, achieving a total of more than thirty eight years of active rescue service. During his tenure as the Squad' captain, he presided over a substantial expansion in the Squad's capabilities during a period of unprecedented increases in calls for service. It is a testament to his leadership and dedication that the Squad remains, today, an active and thriving volunteer organization.
In loving and honored memory of Capt. Charles 'Charlie' Stiles May 1, 1924 to January 2, 2014
AWARDS
The gallery below displays a few of the many awards that Capt. Stiles received during his career.
