Brooks Named Smith County Fire Marshal

TYLER — A man who serves as Lindale’s fire marshal and a police patrolman will be Smith County’s new fire marshal. Smith County Commissioners have named Roy J. “Jay” Brooks, Jr. to the post. Brooks, who is the owner/manager of Brooks Forensics, LLC, a private fire investigation company, takes over his new duties next month. He succeeds Jim Seaton, who died last month from cancer.

Brooks is a 13-year veteran of firefighting and has six years of certified fire investigator experience. Brooks served on a volunteer basis with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office from 2008 to 2013. He also holds multiple certifications as a fire/arson investigator, inspector, peace officer, and private investigator and has logged more than 1,000 hours of fire, rescue, and EMT-B training in addition to his investigative training.

“I am so humbled that the Commissioner’s Court has offered me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Smith County in this capacity. Charles Shine and Jim Seaton left a legacy of excellence and I hope to continue the progress they started in County fire protection and hazard mitigation. I also can’t express how proud I am of the staff I will be working with, many of whom helped mold me into the investigator I am today;” Brooks said. “I would also like to say a huge thank you to my loving wife, Kelly, and my two sons, Hagen and Zachary, for supporting me while enduring the sacrifices that go into