Lincoln firefighter retires after 35 years of service and transformation

From a small-town volunteer to a mentor shaping Lincoln’s fire service, his journey mirrors the city’s explosive change. What drove his lifelong commitment?

, and Administrator

2025 December 15 . 7:37 PM

1 min read

In this picture we can see the red color old train and a man wearing black color suit, standing at... — In this picture we can see the red color old train and a man wearing black color suit, standing at the train door, smiling and giving a pose. On the right side there is a station shed. In the front bottom side there is red color fire extinguisher.

Lincoln firefighter retires after 35 years of service and transformation

Corey Leighty has retired after 35 years with the Abraham Lincoln Fire Department. His career spanned a period of major change, as the service grew from a small volunteer team into a full-time professional operation. During his time, the city’s population also surged from 7,500 to over 50,000 residents.

Leighty joined the fire service on his 18th birthday, September 11, 1990. He took on various roles, including engineer at Fire Station 33, where he operated the engine and mentored younger firefighters. His dedication extended beyond Lincoln, as he also volunteered with Cal Fire and Placer County Fire, and worked in the Sutter Roseville Emergency Room.

Leighty’s retirement marks the end of a long career that shaped Lincoln’s emergency services. His work helped build a stronger fire department and inspired others to volunteer. He hopes his story will encourage more people to consider a life of service in their own communities.