SBFD Captain Chuck ‘Wazoo’ Wawrzyniak retires after 49 years

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Fire Department is saying goodbye to one of its longest-serving veteran, Captain Chuck Wawrzyniak, known as Captain "wazoo" among those close to him, who is retiring after 49 years with the department.

He retired as the oldest career firefighter in the state of Indiana. Having started his firefighting career back in 1976, the captain leaves behind a lasting mark well beyond the South Bend community.