‘Driving through legacy’: Bridge dedicated to Petersburg’s first Black battalion chief
VENN
PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Petersburg's first Black battalion chief was memorialized with a bridge along the street he grew up on.
On Wednesday, June 3, Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services announced that the "Bobby Harvell Memorial Bridge" had officially been unveiled. It honors the life and legacy of the city's first Black battalion chief, who spent decades serving and protecting Petersburg.
Harvell died in June 2022 at the age of 59. At the time of his death, he was retired from Petersburg Fire, last serving in an interim chief role.
"Chief Bobby Harvell was ours, long before the rank, before the title, before the respect that came with the badge," fire officials said in a Facebook post.
The unveiling of "Bobby Harvell Memorial Bridge," which honors Petersburg's first Black battalion chief. (Photos: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services)
The unveiling of "Bobby Harvell Memorial Bridge," which honors Petersburg's first Black battalion chief. (Photos: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services)
The bridge now bearing his name, located on Hinton Street, was chosen with a purpose.
"He was a Hinton Street kid," fire officials said. "Feet on the pavement. Hands in the dirt. Heart in this city. He didn’t just grow up in Petersburg -- he became a part of its backbone."
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Fire officials described Harvell as a bridge, himself -- someone who "connected generations," "connected the fire department to the community" and "connected the past to the future."
Bobby L. Harvell, Petersburg's first Black battalion chief. (Photo: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services)
"He showed the young ones that you can come from a place that’s been overlooked … and still stand up tall with pride, integrity and purpose," fire officials said. "That bridge, sitting right there on the street where he started, where he grew up … that’s powerful. That’s symbolic. It tells a story without saying a word."
Like this bridge, fire officials said Harvell's memory will endure.
"Most people fade away when the uniform comes off," fire officials said. "But Chief Harvell? He built something that’ll outlast time. His impact runs deeper than bricks and mortar. It’s in the way we lead. The way we serve. The way we carry each other."
The unveiling of "Bobby Harvell Memorial Bridge," which honors Petersburg's first Black battalion chief. (Photos: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services)
The unveiling of "Bobby Harvell Memorial Bridge," which honors Petersburg's first Black battalion chief. (Photos: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services)
More than "just a name on a sign," fire officials emphasized that this bridge is something greater -- just as Harvell was.
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"Every time we cross that bridge, we’re not just going somewhere -- we’re crossing over his memory," fire officials said. "His leadership. His love for this city. We’re driving through legacy. Rest in power, Chief. You never left us. You just became part of the road that keeps us moving."
