TyVaughn “Ty” Eldridge was a member of Chesterfield Fire and EMS Recruit School 63. He died in the line of duty on his birthday, July 3, 2021, after suffering a medical emergency. Ty was just 26 years old.

TyVaughn was a fourth-generation firefighter. He was a light in his family and in his community. He had an intuitive nature, a giving spirit, and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed mentoring, playing the trumpet, basketball, baseball, painting, concerts, and giving back to the community.

In his early years, Ty was one of the first to attend Henrico Police Athletic League’s summer program. In 2009, through his dedication and determination, he became the first Youth of the Year award winner for Henrico PAL. He was also awarded the 2011 Henrico Summer Camp Volunteer Award, as well as the Henrico High School Marching Band MVP Award. TyVaughn also served as an officer on the PAL Youth Leadership Council. Once he aged out of summer camp, he became a counselor.

Ty was featured in the Henrico Citizen in 2015 for his service as a Henrico PAL counselor. The article, fittingly titled “Full Circle,” spoke on how Ty participated in the program as a child and how he gave back to the organization as a lead counselor. Kenneth Ragland, an executive with PAL, watched Ty grow up in the program and said in the article, “Ty is a by-product of what the Henrico Police Athletic League is all about.” TyVaughn said that he “wouldn’t have traded his experiences for any other organization” and that the mission “helped mold him.”

TyVaughn was a 2013 graduate of Henrico High School. His experiences as a youth drove him to graduate from Old Dominion University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He continued his service to both ODU and his home community. Given the caliber of man that Ty was, he chose to start his career in public safety with Chesterfield Fire and EMS.

Ty always served his community and ultimately fulfilled his lifelong goal to become a firefighter. His never-ending motivation would have continued to make a positive difference.

Ty is remembered as a loving son, brother, and friend. He was also the better half to his college sweetheart of seven years. He touched many people, and he is greatly missed. We are grateful for the privilege of having him in our lives. His smile, devotion, and dedication are forever engrained in our memory. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service to our community.