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Photo from Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management

UPDATE: Funeral details released Wednesday evening

Date: Saturday, January 5, 11 AM
Location: St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
118 E. Second Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701

Interment to follow at:

Resthaven Memorial Gardens
9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway (US Route 15)
Frederick, MD 21701

Space and parking is limited at the church. Therefore, any member of the media attending the funeral is asked to contact me by 3:00 PM, Friday, January 4.

Additional information will be distributed Thursday, January 3 on the service and specifics on the procession.

Earlier coverage:

At 4:30 AM Monday, Alex Keepers made the drive he did many early mornings, heading from his home in Frederick, MD, across the river, to a Loudoun County fire station. Normally a pretty and quiet ride, this morning it was treacherous.

Crossing the Potomac on Route 15 at Point of Rocks, Maryland State Police say the Jeep Cherokee driven by Keepers slid on an icy spot and crossed from the southbound lane to the northbound side. Traveling northbound at that moment, a tractor-trailer hauling logs. The truck slammed into the side of the SUV, killing the 31-year-old Keepers.

Photo by Sam Yu, Courtesy of The Frederick News-Post

Alex Keepers joined the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management in 2002. His early years were at Arcola Fire-Rescue Station 9. Keepers was promoted to lieutenant just 6 months ago and had been assigned to Middleburg Fire-Rescue Station 3.

In a statement Chief Joseph Pozzo said: “A loss of this magnitude, affects our entire family. Alex was a valued member of our family and will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him”.

Alex Keepers began his firefighting career at age 17. That's when he joined the Independent Hose Company of Frederick, MD, where he remained active until his death.

He leaves behind his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Donation information from IAFF Local 3756

The Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association extends our deepest sympathy to Lieutenant Keepers' family.

A memorial fund has been established at the Leesburg BB&T; the name on the account is the "Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association Alex Keepers Memorial Fund."

Please make checks payable to: LCFFA Alex Keepers Memorial Fund (acct # 153310661)

Please send checks to:
LCFFA Alex Keepers Memorial Fund
c/o BB&T Bank Leesburg
101Catoctin Circle S.E.
Leesburg, VA 20175

Press release from Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management

Loudoun County Firefighter Killed in Auto Accident

It is with deep regret that the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management reports the passing of Lieutenant Alex John Keepers.

Around 430 AM, Monday, December 31, Keepers was involved in an automobile accident on the Point of Rocks Bridge while on his was on his way to work. Icy road conditions may have contributed to the accident, which is under investigation by the Maryland State Police.

Lt. Keepers joined the Department in January 2002 as a member of Recruit Class #6. Upon completion of the Recruit Academy in June 2002, Keepers was assigned to Arcola Fire-Rescue Station #9. Working his way up through the ranks, Keepers was promoted to Lieutenant in July 2007 and was assigned to Middleburg Fire-Rescue Station #3. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

“A loss of this magnitude, affects our entire family,” stated Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Chief Joseph Pozzo. “Alex was a valued member of our family and will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him”.

Lt. Keepers was also a long-time volunteer member of the Independent Hose Company in Frederick, Maryland.

The Loudoun County Department of Fire and Rescue and Emergency Management extends our deepest sympathy to Lieutenant Keepers’ family, the Loudoun County Career Fire Fighters Local #3756, and the Independent Hose Company.

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# posted by Dave Statter @ 6:10 PM