Celebration of life held for Benton Harbor's first Black firefighter, Archie Davis Sr.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- The first African American firefighter for the city of Benton Harbor was remembered during a celebration of life service Friday morning.

Archie Davis Sr. died on July 26. Davis was the first African American firefighter in the history of the Benton Harbor Fire Department when he joined in 1957.

Davis was a firefighter for several years before switching careers. He worked for Whirlpool until his retirement in 2005.

Family, friends and city leaders, including Mayor Marcus Muhammad, attended the service at Union Memorial Ame Church.

"And you still here, today, have a lot of people in this community that done great things," Davis' son, Archie Davis Jr said. "And my father was a part of the legacy and six other guys were a part of that legacy because they were the first African Americans that were hired down at the city hall."

Mayor Muhammad said Davis' legacy will not be forgotten.

"Well, I'll be working with the city council to see how we can submit his and the other four firefighters' legacy in the City of Benton Harbor because as it was stated, their history had become a mystery and it had not been talked about up until now," Mayor Muhammad said. "Which is unfortunate. But, I'm happy that our current police chief, Director Dan McGinnis, moving forward, will make sure that this is a part of the curriculum of fire school."

Davis Sr. was 87 years old.