Local residents were in shock Monday morning after the announcement of the death of long-time Emergency Medical Service Director Hoyte Hale. Hale had served in the position for nearly nine years, and passed away suddenly on Sunday.

“Today, DeKalb County has lost a great public servant,” County Mayor Matt Adcock said. “Hoyte Hale selflessly dedicated his life in emergency services to the community that he loved. We have lost a great friend that was always there for his people and his community. There are not many people on this earth with a heart as big as Hoyte’s.”

Hale had also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Smithville Fire Department for over 40 years, and was serving as the department’s Deputy Chief at the time of his passing. He had been awarded the department’s “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” eight times, which is given for responding to the most incidents in a year.

Hale was licensed as an EMT-Paramedic, and had served as assistant EMS director for seven years, before becoming interim EMS director for two and a half years. He was named EMS director in 2015.

Funeral arrangements are to be announced.