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CHARLOTTE -- Capt. Eli Robles, who leaves the Charlotte Fire Department Tuesday after 25 years, has been honored with the Roberto Clemente Lifetime Achievement Award.

Robles received the award Wednesday night. It’s in honor of Latino achievements and is named after the Pittsburgh Pirate baseball player who died in a 1972 plane crash while flying relief supplies to Nicaragua.

After serving with Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division, Robles was the first Latino hired by the CFD. He also became CFD’s first Latino captain.

“It’s an honor because I’m being recognized for something that for me I just did my job,” said Robles. “Being a firefighter is a tremendous accomplishment for me.”