Longtime Rolesville fire chief dies at his home, officials say

Longtime Rolesville Fire Chief Rodney Privette, a 47-year veteran of the department, died in his home Wednesday morning, the town announced.

He was 67. A cause of death was not announced.

Known for his dedicated service and love for restoring old cars, Privette began volunteering with the Rolesville Rural Fire Department in 1975. In 1992, he began his tenure as fire chief.

“His commitment to the community was second to none, and he dedicated his life to serving the Town of Rolesville and beyond,” Assistant Chief Donnie Lawrence said in a statement.

In addition to his work at the firehouse, Privette also ran his family business, Privette Insurance Agency.

“Chief Privette was a beloved member of our fire services family, and he will be greatly missed,” said Darrell Alford, director of Wake County Fire Services, in a statement.

Rolesville is one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina. It grew by 5% in the year ending July 1, 2021, The News & Observer reported. The town has 10,047 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, according to Wake County officials.