Blackshear Assistant Fire Chief Killed in Line of Duty During Hurricane Helene

Blackshear Assistant Fire Chief Vernon “Leon” Davis died early Friday morning, September 27, while responding to Hurricane Helene. Davis, a veteran firefighter with over 30 years of service, was killed when a tree fell on the cab of a city truck as he was clearing debris from downed trees and power lines on Hendry Street, near the Pierce County Department of Family and Children’s Services.

Blackshear Fire Chief Bucky Goble expressed the department’s grief, calling Davis “a great guy” and describing his death as “just devastating.” Davis’ passing marks one of the 15 fatalities in Georgia attributed to Hurricane Helene.

Governor Brian Kemp acknowledged the tragedy in a midday update, stating, “We know that one of those is a first responder, and one of our finest has lost his life trying to save others.”

Funeral arrangements and further details are expected in the coming days as the Blackshear community mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant.