Mayor Alton Craft and the city council members honored Oxford Elementary student Kyrin Wallace during the October 28, 2025, city council meeting.

Wallace had previously been named an honorary firefighter by Oxford Fire Chief Gary Sparks after he put into practice fire safety skills he had learned from the OFD’s annual school visits during a fire at his home on October 11, 2025.

Craft presented Wallace with a proclamation noting his actions demonstrated “qualities that serve as a powerful example of the importance of fire safety education and the heroic potential within every child.”

The proclamation continues saying the city of Oxford honors and commends Wallace “for his bravery, leadership, and calm response in the face of danger, and expresses our heartfelt gratitude for his shining example of heroism.”

Kyrin was greeted by a standing ovation from everyone in the council chambers.

Chief Sparks said that although Kyrin had shown his knowledge of fire safety, when asked the young man said his preference was to be a policeman (like his father who serves with the Anniston Police Department). Knowing that, Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge added to Kyrin’s honors by handing him an Oxford Police shield and told him when he turned 21, “You’ve got a job.”

The city council also voted to move its second Tuesday meeting in November to Monday, November 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. at City Hall. The change is out of respect for the Veterans Day holiday, which falls on the second Tuesday.