Virgil Neely, Division Fire Chief

Chief Virgil Neely is a product of Jackson Public School, he attended and graduated from Lanier High School from 1980 -1983. After high school Virgil Neely attended Jackson State University on a Full Scholarship to play football for Coach W. C. Gorden. During Virgil Neely’s time at Jackson State, he joined the R.O.T.C Program. In December of 1988, Virgil Neely Graduated from JSU and received a commission as a Lieutenant in the United State Army 2LT (Military Police).

In October of 1988, Virgil Neely worked at UMMC as a Campus Police Officer. Virgil Neely worked 5 years at UMMC. In April of 1993, he left UMMC to become a member of The Jackson Fire Department.

Virgil Neely started his career with the Jackson Fire Department in April of 1993. Virgil Neely worked in Emergency Service Division until 2007. In August 2007 Virgil Neely joined the Fire Investigation Division.  In April of 2021, Virgil Neely was promoted to the position he currently holds as Division Chief of Fire Investigation.

• Firefighter 1993 – 2007
• Fire Investigation 2007- 2021
• Chief Investigator 2021 – Present
• Lanier High School 1983
• Jackson State University 1988
• United State Military Academy, Anniston Al