Former DeKalb Firefighter Dies Saving Swimmers In Alabama

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — An ex-DeKalb County firefighter died Sunday while saving multiple swimmers in distress off the coast of Alabama.

William "Bill" Smith, 57, was serving as a deputy for the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office at the time, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Smith specialized in patrolling Gulf Coast beaches and had been with the department for seven years.

Smith and fellow deputy Sydney Wentworth were working on the Fort Morgan peninsula around 6 p.m. Sunday when three swimmers started showing signs of distress while in the water. Smith drowned during the rescue attempt, local news outlet WVTM reported.

The three swimmers were rescued. Wentworth was taken to a local hospital in Alabama, where she is still recuperating, the AJC reported.

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Smith retired from DeKalb County Fire Rescue in 2011 as deputy chief of operations, according to Chief Darnell Fullum.

"Bill positively impacted the community he served and the firefighters he worked with. He is fondly remembered in our department for his passion and dedication to the fire service and the resolute protection he gave to the citizens of DeKalb County," Fullum said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Bill will be missed by many."

DeKalb County Commissioner Robert Patrick called Smith a "true DeKalb County hero" during Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting.

"Smith died doing what he made a career out of for 25 years: saving lives," Patrick said Tuesday.

Funeral services were announced Wednesday morning and will take place at the Baldwin County Coliseum on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the following organizations, according to WVTM:

• Michael Malone Scholarship Fund, 800 Veterans Road, Gulf Shores, AL
• Baldwin County Sheriff's Foundation, 310 Hand Ave., Bay Minette, AL