Bell County’s community of first responders is mourning the loss of one of their own. Lt. Jim Killion passed away last week after a lengthy illness. Killion served on the Middlesboro Fire Department from 1983 through 2001 as a firefighter/EMT, became an EMT instructor at Southeast Community College and also worked for Bell County EMS and became the EMS director for several years.

“It’s safe to say that if you ever needed a first responder in our city or county Jim played some kind of role mentoring them,” Middlesboro Fire Chief Robbie England said.

While working for the MFD, Killion rose to the rank of lieutenant serving as EMS Instructor, Level 2 Fire Instructor, Shift Commander and Ambulance Director.

“He performed all of those duties at a high level. After he retired from our department Jim continued to serve his community as the EMT instructor at Southeast,” England said. “He did that for several years where he trained many of the EMTS that are still in service today.”

After retiring from the Middlesboro Fire Department, Killion worked at Bell County EMS for many years. Magistrate Glenn Webb mentioned Killion’s passing at Tuesday’s Fiscal Court meeting and said Jim and the Killion family should be remembered.

“Jim served the county for a number of years, long enough to retire. He was our EM when I came in and served at least another eight, nine, ten years after that,” Judge Executive Albey Brock said. “He was a really good man.”

Killion’s son Jeromy serves as an EMT with the Middlesboro Fire Department.

“Jim was a family man and is proud of his son Jeromy, daughter-in-law Charlotte and his grandchildren, which he adored,” Chief England said. “Our community owes a great debt to Jim for his service. Job well done Lt. Jim Killion.”