Captain Tim Smith, Victim of Violence: His Last Roll Call

Photo provided by Sherry Shepherd

Tim Smith and his wife pictured on a t-shirt worn by some who attended the services Sunday. [Photo provided by Sherry Shepherd]

Firefighters, friends and family poured into Fortuna on Sunday to pay their last respects to Captain Tim Smith of that city’s volunteer fire department. Smith who died of gunshot wounds earlier this month was honored for his commitment to the community.

Photo provided by Sherry Shepherd

Attendees were invited to share memories of Captain Smith. [Photo provide by Aurora Studebaker.]

Diana Totten Public Information Officer for Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue said, “He was an awesome guy…The service shows the honor we wanted to give him.”

An estimated 25 to 30 fire departments as well as ambulance companies and technical rescue volunteers sent squads of representatives. Processions of vehicles rolled towards the River Lodge in Fortuna in Smith’s honor.

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[All truck photos by Sherry Shepherd]

“The streets were closed off,” described Totten. “There were a lot of people standing with their hand on their heart. The Fortuna chief was with the family of Timmy. It was just one giant, solid line of emergency vehicles. Most had their lights on but no sirens.”
image9-1

A huge American flag few over the incoming vehicles.

“We marched in a single file line,” Totten said. “As we entered the River Lodge, Timmy’s family and friends were already there. It was standing room only.”

A procession of firefighters filed into the memorial service. [Photo by Deb Lake]

A procession of firefighters filed into the memorial service. [Photo by Deb Lake]

According to Totten, the service was a traditional firefighter’s service. “The bells were rung, an honor guard with white gloves marched carrying fire axes and bagpipes were played,” she said. “There were several speakers.”

Tim’s son carried in memorabilia. [Photo by Sherry Shepherd.]

Totten described a very moving bell ceremony. “The bell is rung three times,” she said. “Sirens sounded. Then there was radio call from the command center and they called Tim’s number. After they call Tim’s number several times, they come on the radio and say thank you and they say, ‘We’ll answer the calls from now on. You rest.”

(You can see and hear it below.)

[Video by Amber Bowlds]

“We live with pagers and radios,” Totten explained. “[Our] families know what we go through. We get up in the middle of dinner and the middle of the night. We get up in the middle of birthday parties and the middle of shopping trips. Someone’s emergency takes precedence. When Tim doesn’t answer the last call, it is time for us to step up and try and fill his boots.”

According to Totten, Smith’s family was given his badge, his number was retired, and his helmet was given to the family.

Totten said that firefighters like Smith are there to help their neighbors. “The bottom line is we are very honored to be part of a bigger world and help our communities. People like Tim are those who go way beyond the call of duty.”

Aurora Studebaker

Captain Tim Smith’s memorial program. [Photo by Sherry Shepherd]

 

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37 Comments
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Sad Heart
Guest
Sad Heart
7 years ago

Although I never knew Tim or his family, I see a light that burned in this man’s heart that reminds me a few special people in my life. The words shared by so many pull at the heart strings of anything that we call a love for our fellow man. His larger than life persona, is something of a rare quality amongst the modern male role model. Not taking anything away from those who prefer to keep a lower profile when it comes to how we express our love for our family and friends, and our communities. May we all take the time to tell those in our lives , how much they mean to us. This life is surely an adventure, and my wish is that we continue to look to our hearts in how we see others as our brothers and sisters and our parents in our own children, and we are all in this together. Let’s be just a little better than we were yesterday. Love and light to all.

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
7 years ago

Such a wonderful write up, thank you miss Kym! You have been very kind in this situation (and all others).
Again, Rest In Peace Tim, I’ll see you on the other side.

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
7 years ago
Reply to  Gazoo

He’s together again with his Mother just waay to soon sadly!!! RIP Tim you deserve a rest after all you did for this area while you were on this Earth for such a short time!!!!

John Hefln
Guest
John Hefln
7 years ago

Thank you Kym for another wonderful post about my brother!!!

John Heflin
Guest
John Heflin
7 years ago

Thank you Kym for another wondrful article about my brother

hmm
Guest
hmm
7 years ago

One series of extraordinarily immoral acts do not make a person evil or worthless, but his actions have caused a great deal of harm to the community. So when I read “Smith who died of gunshot wounds earlier this month was honored for his commitment to the community.” I cringe a little.

Honeydew Bridge Chump
Guest
Honeydew Bridge Chump
7 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Yea, government types ignore facts to protect one of their own.
Should have two women on that shirt, not just the wife.

Eastside
Guest
Eastside
7 years ago

Chump is right.

Eastside
Guest
Eastside
7 years ago
Reply to  Eastside

Meaning he’s a chump, that didn’t come out right.

Diamond Lil
Guest
Diamond Lil
7 years ago
Reply to  Eastside

Chump needs to make his/ her own life right before judging others

Judge not lest u judge urself
Guest
Judge not lest u judge urself
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Couldn’t have said it better ms wordsmith kym! Thank you for your diplomatic reply.

Honeydew Bridge Chump
Guest
Honeydew Bridge Chump
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

You’re right…

Wrong place for that comment.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Just a matter of time before negativity creeps in. I am learning tact from you. Thanks.

Diamond Lil
Guest
Diamond Lil
7 years ago

Thank you Kym for the very nice write up the memorial, I wasn’t able to attend and the description, the videos and picture were good for my soul, I’ll miss Tim, he was good man and a good friend, I’m honored that I was able to know him and his wonderful family, Peace be with them all.

Diamond Lil
Guest
Diamond Lil
7 years ago

I don’t really understand “people” like HOJ, Honeydew bridge chump and hmm, Are they really so perfect that they feel that they can judge others in their private lives. Get a grip on your own life, and being so perfect, go out into the world and make a difference, A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
7 years ago
Reply to  Diamond Lil

He wouldn’t be the victim of violence if he was a tad more “moral”. That was the point that those guys were making I think

Honeydew Bridge Chump
Guest
Honeydew Bridge Chump
7 years ago

That was the point and the comment about putting two women on the shirt was just wrong.

They have to carry that, those thoughts, live with the what if’s, and it won’t go away.

I’m sorry I wrote it.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
7 years ago

Takes a BIG person to apologize. Good job.

Joan Sanders
Guest
Joan Sanders
7 years ago

I’m sure it wasn’t easy to apologize Honeydew. Be careful or we might think you’re human.

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
7 years ago
Reply to  Diamond Lil

Even with all their bitterness,we all know tim would still be one of the first people to be there to save there Ass.
It realy doesn’t matter how they feel about him, the actions of his peers and his community speak volume.

Courtney
Guest
Courtney
7 years ago
Reply to  Gazoo

Amen.. Tell my mama I love her. RIP. We didn’t always see eye to eye on things, we grew up together. My condolences to Jessica and their sons.

the misadventures of bunjee
Guest
the misadventures of bunjee
7 years ago
Reply to  Diamond Lil

HoJ isn’t perfect in the slightest, yet is one of the most judgmental. He’s already been in the local news for not being very nice and getting banned from various comment sections for his poor behavior.

That said, let’s stop commenting on who or what sort of person Tim was and just give the guy a decent farewell.

Eastside
Guest
Eastside
7 years ago

Rest in Peace. Condolences to all.

cindy
Guest
cindy
7 years ago

Thank you Kym for the beautiful description of a wonderful man, husband, & father. I pray for those who feel they have to try to say hurtful things at this time of sorrow. Loving thoughts & prayers to Captain Tim Smith;s family & friends.

the misadventures of bunjee
Guest
the misadventures of bunjee
7 years ago

You know HOJ, or JL…..among all the other mindbogglingly bizarre things you post by the hour, I didn’t think fat shaming was one of them. Congrats on hitting a new low! Be sure not to close any fences on those lifestyles you disagree with.

Fritz Harmann
Guest
Fritz Harmann
7 years ago

[The commenter known as Fritz Harmann has been banned. His last comment was rude but looking over his other comments indicated that he frequently made unacceptable comments. He was warned and yet continued. So I banned him. Kym]

the misadventures of bunjee
Guest
the misadventures of bunjee
7 years ago
Reply to  Fritz Harmann

Fritz that’s just foul and utterly degrading. That post simply should be removed, and quite frankly, you too for making such a degrading statement. But I’m not an admin.

cindy
Guest
cindy
7 years ago
Reply to  Fritz Harmann

thank you Kym for making that decision

Heather
Guest
Heather
7 years ago

Thank you Kym for a BEAUTIFUL write up for such an AMAZING man who will FOREVER be missed!!!

Concerned
Guest
Concerned
7 years ago

Kym very nicely put, you have a very nice heart indeed. We all make mistakes May the families find peace during this tough time

Sean Richardson
Guest
Sean Richardson
7 years ago

I first met Tim in the early 90’s,I was immediately impressed with his work ethic,as I got to know him,his character only became better,time was a very good man and I am proud to know him,and this world is a better place because of him,hell be missed,my condolences to jessica and family,rip in peace brother

What did he expect??!!
Guest
What did he expect??!!
7 years ago

Fuck ur web site then!!! Freedom of speech when someone writes something true and you know it and you choose not to put it up its you covering the truth and you picking and choosing to publicize others and let others post but that’s if you have a thought on the matter and then if you do, you go off but don’t relize the true facts or ur just covering for that person’s unrighteousness of act or thought!!!! And I’ve supported ur web site for a long time but I’m tired of you not posting people’s comments, I hear a lot you don’t post things the “Facts”……..lost coast people they post freedom of speech and the facts and don’t drag pages out for publicity, where people finally get tired of seeing it and say something but Ktm you cover that up by not posting freedom of speech!!!!