New Knoxville Fire Department Deputy Chief Roger Byrd was ceremonially promoted to the new position Thursday during a gathering at the Civic Coliseum Ballroom.

Byrd's father, Jason Byrd, pinned the new gold deputy chief badge on his son during the ceremony which was presided over by Mayor Bill Haslam and Knoxville Fire Chief Stan Sharp.

Haslam told a crowd of firefighters, friends and city employees gathered for the ceremony that he's never heard a negative comment about Byrd and that he is highly-regarded as an excellent firefighter. He said that Byrd works long hours and has been very effective in serving the city. 
 
"I can say with great confidence that you will serve our citizens well," Haslam told Byrd. 
 
Sharp outlined Byrd's career with the KFD and said he's been an exemplary firefighter before presenting the new badge to Deputy Chief Byrd.

Roger Byrd is a 36-year veteran of the Knoxville Fire Department who joined the KFD after serving in the U.S. Army. He worked his way up through the ranks to his current position being promoted to captain in 1996 and assistant chief in 1998.

He had been the city's fire marshal since 1999 until his recent promotion to deputy chief.

KFD has two deputy fire chiefs, the other being Deputy Chief Robert Pressley.

Deputy Chief Byrd is the son of Jason and Candy Byrd of Knoxville.