Traci White Photo

    In October 2009, Dennis "Chip" Taylor, a Rockingham county firefighter, was murdered along with his wife and youngest daughter. His ex-wife and her new husband are facing charges for the murders. 


     This year, the first Dennis Chip Taylor memorial scholarships were awarded. One went to John Woods, a 19-year-old enrolled in the Massanutten Technical Community College firefighter training program. Woods told our reporter, "Knowing how many lives Chip has touched, I can't express how honored I am to receive the scholarship."


     He's just a good kid, and he called me ma'am. Meeting someone who at such a young age has already committed himself to a life of service was inspirational, especially hearing how appreciative he was of what the scholarship meant.  

John Woods, a student from Broadway, looks up a ladder before climbing it at the Broadway Volunteer Fire Department. 

Woods holds his gloves and helmet after a drill at the Broadway Volunteer Fire Department. 

Woods puts on his heavy flame-retardant gear inside the station before participating in a drill.