After 25 years as a full-time professional firefighter, Capt. Michael Boykin is stepping into retirement to begin a new career in the fire extinguisher business.
To wish him well in his next phase of life, a large turnout of current and retired Pine Bluff Fire Department firefighters joined him and his family Friday in a celebration at RJ’s Sports Grill and Bar on Main Street.
Battalion Fire Chief Harold Clark said of Boykin: “Michael came on the Fire Department six months after I did. We started out together. His professionalism and work ethic have made him an outstanding member of our team. Whatever he put his hands to, he has always done right. We are going to miss working with him.”
Boykin said of this new chapter in his life, “It’s bittersweet. I wake up every day wondering if I did the right thing taking retirement. But now, along with my wife Lisa and son Mikah, we operate Red E Extinguisher Service and it is keeping us quite busy.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
He recognizes the big lifestyle change from being an around-the-clock firefighter to having a day job with normal hours.
“Pine Bluff is a 100% full-time fire department. We worked 24 hours on and 48 hours off, week-in, week-out. That didn’t make for regular weekends off like most folks know. I worked the same station house for 23 years, Station 5 at Bay and Miramar.”
Boykin began his firefighting career serving two years with the Searcy Fire Department before coming to Pine Bluff.
His wife of nine years, Lisa, said: “I’m happy he’ll be home at night now. It’ll be nice to have time to spend together on weekends where we can share the same time off from work together. After 25 years on the force, it’ll take some getting used to for him to live a normal lifestyle.”
Several of his fellow firefighters shared their respect for Boykin. Assistant Fire Chief Ernest Jones said, “Michael had 23 years with our Fire Department in Pine Bluff. He has been a very positive influence to the department. A lot of young men came along under his mentorship. I want to wish him well on his retirement and say congratulations and happy trails.”
Firefighter Gerald White said: “Michael is a good dude. We served together many years. He is the kind of guy you want next to you in a tight (spot), and a great man to work with.”
Boykin said in return, “I enjoyed working with the community and being there when people needed us. I worked with a bunch of great guys. They were always willing to train for their job and when that training was needed, they had it ready to deal with every situation.”
Before making firefighting his career, Boykin served in the U.S. Army as military police. He saw duty in Korea, Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Bliss, Texas, from 1988-92.
During a brief award presentation in the midst of the festivities, Chief Shauwn Howell said, “The fire service is full of traditions.” Holding up an embroidered insignia, he continued: “You’ll see this patch on our uniform sleeve. We started wearing it in the last 10 years.”
Howell went on to explain that the one being presented to Boykin contained the additional word “Retired.”
Lt. Sven Hipp next presented Boykin with a special gift, saying, “The men who work with him chipped in to get him this.” Turning to Boykin, Hipp added, “You made it, man!”
The captain then unwrapped a 1911 Springfield .45-caliber automatic pistol. One member of the audience shouted, “Just what he needed, another gun!”
Before allowing him to say a few words of appreciation to his well-wishers, Boykin’s wife presented him with one more surprise, a new Rolex watch. Again, a fellow firefighter hollered, “Can I have your old one?”
Stepping to the microphone, Boykin said, “Thank everyone for coming out. I’ve loved the last 23 years. Not a day goes by I don’t think about what we’ve shared. It’s a great city, a great community and a great department. We have good equipment and firefighters like nobody else. They are people I would give my life for any day. This is the kind of thing you look back on and say, ‘I had a hell of a life!'”