Rocky Mount honors firefighters, proclaims Public Works and Police Week, and notes historic district listing

At its May 20 meeting, the Rocky Mount City Council formally recognized members of the Rocky Mount Fire Department for their out-of-area swift-water response and presented proclamations marking Public Works Week and Police Week; the council also announced that the Sunset Avenue Public Works Historic District has been entered into the National Register of Historic Places.

Carol Ludwig, regent of a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented awards to 15 members of the Rocky Mount Fire Department who deployed to the western part of the state in response to a hurricane and performed swift-water and airlift rescues, boat operations in debris fields and other emergency response duties. Ludwig described the deployment as life-saving and praised the firefighters’ training and readiness.

Mayor and staff read a proclamation designating May 18–24, 2025, as Public Works Week in recognition of public works and water-resources employees and their role in maintaining the city’s infrastructure, including stormwater, water and wastewater systems, transportation networks and solid-waste services. The council also read a proclamation recognizing National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) and honored officers who have died in the line of duty.

Council members acknowledged the entry of the Sunset Avenue Public Works Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places and displayed the related plaque. The council encouraged preservation and noted the National Register listing was made under the National Historic Preservation Act by the State Historic Preservation Officer and the U.S. Department of the Interior.