Commissioners Court Honors Lindale Firefighters

TYLER — Big honors have been handed out to a local firefighter and his longtime department. The Smith County Commissioners Court and the Smith County Volunteer Fireman’s Association on Tuesday recognized Lindale firefighter Joe Yeakley with a plaque for “unrestrained sacrifice, uncommon valor and unbounded courage.” Yeakley suffered severe burns to his face and hands after he was trapped by a collapsed roof while fighting a structure fire on January 17, 2014. Yeakley lay unconscious and in critical condition for 96 days and remained in a Dallas hospital for about 10 months.

At the same meeting, the Lindale Volunteer Fire Department was recognized by commissioners with a resolution proclaiming January 26, 2016, as “Lindale Volunteer Fire Department Day.” The Lindale area suffered several disasters in 2015, including tornadoes in northwest Smith County on May 10, in Lindale on December 12, and flooding on December 27. County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson says she’s very proud of the way firefighters responded to the disaster.