North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
On Thursday January 8, 2026, Lieutenant Keegan Thacker wrapped up his final shift working for the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department as he and his fiancée will be making their move to the west coast later this month where he will be continuing his fire service career there.
Keegan joined the Department in March 2020 as a fresh recruit with no previous fire service experience. He quickly established himself as a top candidate immediately on the fire day of new hire testing among a group of roughly 80 applicants who were part of the testing process.
He graduated as Valedictorian of Recruit Class 1 earning high praise from Instructor Cadre as well.
He experienced one of his first working fires in the flooded streets of Cherry Grove during Hurricane Isaias in August 2020.
In July 2022 he was promoted to Firefighter 1st Class.
In October 2022 he was promoted to Fire Engineer.
In October 2023 Keegan filled in as Acting Lieutenant for several months until his promotion became official and he moved to the rank of Fire Lieutenant in February 2024.
Lieutenant Thacker’s last assignment has been serving as Truck 1 Officer for A-Battalion.
Lieutenant Thacker also served as part of Instructor Cadre assisting with Recruit Class 2 last year and also with the current Recruit Class 3 that started back in November.
Keegan has demonstrated each and every day the heart and mindset that any Fire Chief would want to see from a department member.
He has been a tremendous asset to the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department and our city for the almost six years he has served us.
While the department hates to see his time with them come to an end, they are excited and happy for the new opportunities that await both he and his fiancée.
Congratulations Keegan and best of luck on the west coast.
