Officer James Montague has spent his career looking out for others. He is an armed Protective Security Officer for The Hana Group assigned to the Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn, MD. Officer Montague is also a Marine Corps veteran, and that sense of duty and service has carried through his entire career.
Rob McKenney, Hana’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Project Manager, has known James Montague for 20 years. Rob says, “James is very professional, and he's dedicated. He's a guy that you can always count on.”
James is known to take pride in his uniform, going above and beyond to make sure he looks sharp and squared away every day. You’d never know when he’s struggling—he simply shows up and does the job rarely calling out.
But recently, Montague faced the kind of crisis he has spent his life helping others through.
A fire broke out in his home, and in those critical moments, James did what comes naturally to him: he put others first. He made sure his wife was safely out of the house, and then he went back inside—both to rescue their dog and to try to fight the fire himself.
Inside the house, the conditions quickly worsened. Strong winds fed the flames, and thick smoke filled the space. Even as he fought to contain the fire, James suffered burns to his left arm before he was finally forced to get out. He was hospitalized and treated for his injuries and has since been released.
Thanks to his actions, his wife and their dog are safe. But the cost has been devastating.
The family’s home is essentially gutted and a total loss, with extensive fire, smoke, and water damage. Even their two cars, parked in the garage, were damaged when part of the ceiling collapsed and from the water used to fight the fire. James and his wife are now staying in a hotel, trying to begin the long process of rebuilding their lives from almost nothing.
The fire didn’t just take their home; it took the small routines of daily life too. “I mean, I can't even shave, you know. Everything's gone,” James shared.
From clothing and essentials to temporary lodging and replacement of everyday items, the financial burden is significant.
Montague shared that the experience has been mentally and emotionally draining. He says, “I keep having nightmares. I keep waking up and seeing the fire, I can still smell the smoke.”
In response, those close to him have begun to rally around him:
A GoFundMe page has been created to help James and his wife with immediate expenses and the long road ahead. Colleagues are working to spread the word across contracts and regions so more people can step in and help.
James has spent his life protecting others. Now, as he faces the hardest chapter of his life and we have an opportunity to stand guard for him.
If you’re able, please consider supporting Officer Montague and his wife as they work to rebuild from this tragedy. Your generosity will help them replace essentials, secure stable housing, and take some of the weight off their shoulders as James continues to heal.
Here is the GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/eb819ad7e
You can also send a message of well wishes to James by emailing his Manager, Gloria Christian at gchristian@thehanagroup.com
Your kindness—in whatever form—can provide much-needed relief during this difficult time.