The East Side Fire Department of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is mourning the passing of its longtime assistant chief, Ernest “Peppy” Doughty.
At 3:20 p.m. yesterday afternoon, Doughty passed away in the presence of his family after a long battle with cancer, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. He served over 40 years in the fire service, and was an assistant chief with Baton Rouge Fire Department as well as the East Side Fire Department.
“We at East Side thank you for over 40 years of faithful service to not only the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish, but surrounding parishes as well, and we will forever be in your debt,” the post went on. “Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Godspeed Mr. Peppy. Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.”
“Peppy devoted his entire life to fighting fires and saving lives,” his obituary noted. “Throughout the years, Peppy was a mentor to countless firemen. He consistently studied fire manuals and was well prepared for any given situation.”
