Injuries from IED kill popular firefighter

By Tim Adkins

The Ashland City (Tenn.) Times

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. — An Ashland City firefighter and EMT who was in the Marine Corps Reserve died Aug. 8 from injuries sustained in Afghanistan.

Daniel Greer, 25, who deployed in January, was injured by an improvised explosive device early Aug. 6.

“Daniel has been a true hero, not only in serving his country, but in serving his community as an Ashland City firefighter,” Ashland City fire chief Chuck Walker said.

Greer, a 2003 graduate of Harpeth High School, joined the Ashland City fire department as a volunteer in March 2005 and became a full-time employee two years later.

“He was an energetic and outgoing person and was a great asset to our department,” Walker said. “His father said ever since Daniel was young he wanted to be a firefighter. He was also always passionate about his wishes to serve his country.”

Greer joined the Pegram Volunteer Fire Department in July 2001 and volunteered for four years before transferring to Ashland City. 

“Daniel was a character. He was very outspoken, and he didn’t mind letting you know what was on his mind,” Walker said.

The fire chief said the death of Greer is the same as losing a family member.

“We [firefighters] spend a lot of time together. Even on Daniel’s days off, he would often go hunting and fishing with the other firefighters,” he said.

Walker said Greer’s pride and joy was his family, which included his wife, Stacy, and his young son, Ethan.

“He always put his family first even above the fire department and military,” he said.

Walker said the city’s police and fire departments plan to escort Greer’s body back to Cheatham County from the Nashville airport.