Rodney Rocker credits his parents, the late Mattie Perine Rocker and James Taylor Rocker for instilling in him the importance of doing the right thing, even when the task is difficult. On October 10, Rocker had a decision to make and there was no doubt as to what the “right thing” would be.
The Jackson native who attended all Jackson schools graduated from Jackson High School in 1997. During his time at JHS, English teacher Joanne Hagood recruited Rocker for the newspaper staff. Rocker especially enjoyed editing and developing photos in the school’s darkroom. This high school interest led Rocker to Troy University where he earned a degree in mass communications/ broadcasting and further developed his passion for photography. Rocker’s first job after earning his degree was with a television station in Montgomery. When an opportunity arose for Rocker to come closer to Clarke County, he took a job with WKRG Channel 5 in Mobile and later moved to Fox 10 News where he has worked as a photojournalist for 13 years. Fox 10 meteorologist Adam Olivier (left) and photo journalist Rodney Rocker (right) attended the retirement ceremony for the American flag they retrieved during Hurricane Michael in October. As the outer bands of Hurricane Michael lashed Panama City Beach, Rocker and Fox 10 meteorologist Adam Olivier were braving the elements in the storm tracker truck to get footage of the area. Safety was a huge concern as the wind gusted between 70 and 80 miles per hour at times. Downed power lines and debris made it difficult to maneuver. As they inched past the Trustmark Bank, the two noticed that the large flag that had flown above the bank was now on the ground. Because of the deteriorating weather conditions, the two did not get the flag immediately, but made note of its location and planned to report it. However, as they thought of the sacrifices made by so many to protect the freedoms that the American flag represents, they went back to it. Olivier shot video as Rocker fought against the wind to get to the flag, becoming soaked by the rain and battered by the wind. After struggling for some time, Rocker was able to unclip the flag from its ropes. He and Olivier folded it and transported it to Mobile. The pair began to take action when they arrived back in Mobile. The entire news crew championed the flag and was instrumental in saving it. Fox 10 News anchor Eric Reynolds, a veteran, insisted that it be properly cleaned. The station supervisors contacted Marine Corps veterans to fold it properly and then notified the Trustmark branch from where it had come. Trustmark officials stated that since the flag had hit the ground, it must be retired. Rocker and Olivier were invited to take part in the flag retirement ceremony and the raising of the new flag over Trustmark. Rocker said before attending the ceremony he truly did not see the depth of his actions in retrieving the flag. “I just did the right thing. I knew what it meant for me, but until I saw the looks in those veterans’ eyes, I did not understand what it meant for them. To have them thanking me was surreal. I had planned to thank them for their sacrifice. Instead, they were thanking me.” In spite of the deteriorating weather, rising water, flying debris and safety concerns, Rocker said, “At the end of the day, it was the right thing to do. I’m glad I was able to do it. Rocker urges his friends and family who were on the “safe” side of Michael to remember the ones who have been devastated by the storm. “Those people are going through so much. It will take them a long time to recover. Please remember them.” Rocker says that he is humbled to have been a small part of the recovery process. “It doesn’t matter how small or big an action is. If it’s the right thing, do it. You don’t know the impact you can make.” His seemingly small action was very much appreciated by the Panama City Beach community. Rocker continues to work with Fox 10 News as a photojournalist and travels to his hometown of Jackson and the surrounding areas frequently to give television coverage to local schools and events
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Shannon CouringtonWeekly columnist. Feature Writer. Archives
September 2019
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