Baltimore City Fire Department and members of the entire community said goodbye to Rodney W. Pitts III at his funeral service Friday. Pitts and Lt. Dillon Rinaldo died after fighting a fire last week on Linden Heights Avenue in northwest Baltimore.Traditional bag pipes set a somber tone at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Pitts’ large extended family entered the church first.”He was fun, loving, (I) can’t find anything bad to say about him. He was a really good kid,” uncle Michael Willis said. “He loved fishing. That’s what we used to do all the time on his grandfather’s boat.”Pitts was a loving father of two children. He worked multiple jobs to support his family. He was remembered for his bravery, sense of humor and duty to the job he worked so hard to get. He enrolled in the Baltimore City Fire Academy in October 2022 and graduated July 31 of this year.”Rod, he persevered, he pushed through. One thing that I can say that I learned from my cousin is to not let a hard time humble us. Rod had a lot of ups and downs. In the fire academy, we talked on the phone. He was tired. He was sore,” cousin Nathan Pitts said.Supporters line the street for procession: “They’re our hero. Thank you for being our hero. We did not know you, but you are our hero.”Hundreds of vehicles took part in the funeral procession, including the entire city fire department — all personnel and apparatus. Pitts’ casket arrived on his station’s Engine 29, leading the way and prompting salutes from everyone it passed by.More than 2,000 people gathered for Pitts’ funeral. As many as eight fire jurisdictions sent contingents.New from 11 News Investigates: The fire engulfed the rowhome and spread shortly after the fallen firefighters’ transmitted Mayday calls. What we know so far.Notable leaders present included Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, City Comptroller Bill Henry and several members of the Baltimore City Council.”This man gave his life to this city. He was an incredible firefighter. He was someone, as we heard time and time again, who was loved by this village. He had nothing but good spirit and good humor, and he saved other people,” Councilman Zeke Cohen said.”It shows how we support our firefighters. It shows how the community comes together,” Councilman Robert Stokes said.”He always made somebody laugh. Right now is a celebration. God crowned a king. It’s a new beginning.” How Firefighter Pitts is being remembered.A letter, written by Pitts, was read during the service. It included a joke about how he was always late.”The day I was born, I had my mother in labor for two days. Right then, she should have known I will always be late,” Pitts said.The large turnout meant a lot to firefighters who attended.”It is a difficult moment and it is a really heavy lift for us to be where we are today,” city fire spokesman Kevin Cartwright said. “There is a comradery that you will never see across other industries. We wholeheartedly welcome this outpouring of love. This is going to allow us to get through this moment. We are literally clinging to one another to offer comfort, solace and support to move forward.”Family members said Pitts was an old soul with a kind, generous heart and spirit.At the repast After the service, many firefighters and loved ones gathered at the fire union for a repast.”We have firefighters from all across the country here. They’re just supporting us right now,” Baltimore Fire Union Local 734 president Matthew Coster said.He said the evening was a time for people to speak with Pitts’ family and show their love and support.”They’re supporting us just as much as we’re supporting them. It’s a new, great relationship that we have during this tragedy,” Coster said.He said the other firefighters injured on Linden Heights Avenue are doing well, but he recognized that they will have to do it all again as they prepare to pay their respects to Lt. Rinaldo.Coster said the firefighting community will always be there for the families as they cope with the loss of their loved ones.
Baltimore City Fire Department and members of the entire community said goodbye to Rodney W. Pitts III at his funeral service Friday.
Pitts and Lt. Dillon Rinaldo died after fighting a fire last week on Linden Heights Avenue in northwest Baltimore.
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Traditional bag pipes set a somber tone at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Pitts’ large extended family entered the church first.
“He was fun, loving, (I) can’t find anything bad to say about him. He was a really good kid,” uncle Michael Willis said. “He loved fishing. That’s what we used to do all the time on his grandfather’s boat.”
Pitts was a loving father of two children. He worked multiple jobs to support his family. He was remembered for his bravery, sense of humor and duty to the job he worked so hard to get. He enrolled in the Baltimore City Fire Academy in October 2022 and graduated July 31 of this year.
“Rod, he persevered, he pushed through. One thing that I can say that I learned from my cousin is to not let a hard time humble us. Rod had a lot of ups and downs. In the fire academy, we talked on the phone. He was tired. He was sore,” cousin Nathan Pitts said.
- Supporters line the street for procession: “They’re our hero. Thank you for being our hero. We did not know you, but you are our hero.”
Hundreds of vehicles took part in the funeral procession, including the entire city fire department — all personnel and apparatus. Pitts’ casket arrived on his station’s Engine 29, leading the way and prompting salutes from everyone it passed by.
More than 2,000 people gathered for Pitts’ funeral. As many as eight fire jurisdictions sent contingents.
- New from 11 News Investigates: The fire engulfed the rowhome and spread shortly after the fallen firefighters’ transmitted Mayday calls. What we know so far.
Notable leaders present included Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, City Comptroller Bill Henry and several members of the Baltimore City Council.
“This man gave his life to this city. He was an incredible firefighter. He was someone, as we heard time and time again, who was loved by this village. He had nothing but good spirit and good humor, and he saved other people,” Councilman Zeke Cohen said.
“It shows how we support our firefighters. It shows how the community comes together,” Councilman Robert Stokes said.
A letter, written by Pitts, was read during the service. It included a joke about how he was always late.
“The day I was born, I had my mother in labor for two days. Right then, she should have known I will always be late,” Pitts said.
The large turnout meant a lot to firefighters who attended.
“It is a difficult moment and it is a really heavy lift for us to be where we are today,” city fire spokesman Kevin Cartwright said. “There is a comradery that you will never see across other industries. We wholeheartedly welcome this outpouring of love. This is going to allow us to get through this moment. We are literally clinging to one another to offer comfort, solace and support to move forward.”
Family members said Pitts was an old soul with a kind, generous heart and spirit.
At the repast
After the service, many firefighters and loved ones gathered at the fire union for a repast.
“We have firefighters from all across the country here. They’re just supporting us right now,” Baltimore Fire Union Local 734 president Matthew Coster said.
He said the evening was a time for people to speak with Pitts’ family and show their love and support.
“They’re supporting us just as much as we’re supporting them. It’s a new, great relationship that we have during this tragedy,” Coster said.
He said the other firefighters injured on Linden Heights Avenue are doing well, but he recognized that they will have to do it all again as they prepare to pay their respects to Lt. Rinaldo.
Coster said the firefighting community will always be there for the families as they cope with the loss of their loved ones.
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