Troy Dettinger’s dream was to become a firefighter. When his father fell ill, he witnessed the countless volunteers coming to help his father, giving their free time to someone they didn’t even know. Troy said that the acts of kindness and selflessness, watching people help his father, who the volunteers didn’t even know “lit a fire in him” to want to do the same.

In 1993, Troy went and became a volunteer firefighter. He worked his way up the chain to become a trustee, lieutenant, captain, assistant fire chief, and finally the fire chief, a position he served in for the last eight years. Troy also drove part-time for Reliance Fire Company in West York, Pennsylvania.

He worked full-time at Witmer Public Safety Group in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, a company that sells equipment for public safety responders and is also known as “The Fire Store.”

Troy was a beloved father, brother, son, boyfriend, friend, and Papaw to his two granddaughters, Brynlee and Isabella. Everyone looked up to him as a leader and enjoyed being in his company.

In his spare time, he enjoyed camping and four-wheeling. If he wasn’t at the firehall, he was at his camper enjoying nature.

Troy was taken way too soon, at the early age of 55. His friends and family will forever miss him and never forget him and the impact he has made on his community.