Decatur Fire and Rescue Chief Tracy Thornton will retire Oct. 1, 2025, after 26 years with the department, city officials announced. Thornton began his career in 1999 and rose through the ranks, serving as division chief before being appointed fire chief in October 2020. He led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing 116 staff members and working with city leaders to maintain public safety standards. Deputy Fire Chief Nathan Springer will manage daily operations during the transition, officials said. โWe appreciate Chief Thorntonโs many years of dedicated service and leadership in the City of Decatur and wish him the best in his retirement,โ the city said in a statement.
