UPDATE: Memorial Arrangements Made for Hyattsville Firefighter

Update 2:43 p.m.: The Fire-EMS Department Memorial Service for former Hyattsville volunteer firefighter James "Jimmy" Thomas Hook will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (Station 855).

“Chief Hook was one of those rare individuals who embodied the public safety spirit within us all. His dedication to public safety was matched by few. Jimmy’s dedication should be an inspiration to us all, and his spirit will ride with us all – whether working a radio or riding a fire engine," acting Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor said. 

In lieu of flowers, the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department will set up a scholarship fund for Jimmy’s 11-year-old son, Tommy. Any flowers that are sent should be delivered by Tuesday to Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Reception Hall.

Original story, Feb. 24 5:03 p.m.: A longtime volunteer firefighter, James “Jimmy” Thomas Hook, died suddenly Wednesday night at Laurel Regional Hospital after suffering a medical emergency.

Hook was born on March 29, 1966 to Donna and Tommy Hook and grew up with his sister Brenda in Berwyn Heights and attended Parkdale High School.

He joined the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department (BHVFD) in 1986, where he was a live-in member, served on the board of directors and rose to the rank of captain. Both of his parents were Life Members of the BHVFD.

In 1990, Hook was hired as a county 911-police dispatcher; his final position with the county was Fire Dispatch Supervisor in 2008. He was also instrumental in the transition of the Bureau of Fire-Rescue Communications becoming an integrated system known as Public Safety Communications.

Hook began his career with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) in 2001 and served as the Volunteer Deputy Chief until the time of his death and attained his 10th year of membership just this month. One of his accomplishments with the department was helping to purchase a new heavy-duty Rescue Squad when he was chairman.

Hook was so ensconced in the department that even his former wife, Lori, helped as the HVFD recording secretary and his son, Tommy, 11, plans to follow his father’s footsteps to become a firefighter, too.

This story has been corrected. An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Jimmy Hook's position with the fire department at the time of his death. He was deputy chief when he died. We regret the error.