ILLINOIS TOWN GRIEVES

Town Grieves Over Tragic Loss Of Firefighter

Last Update: Jul 27, 2007 6:32 PM

Posted By: Matthew Bozone

The news of volunteer firefighter Jim Miller's tragic accident on Friday hit the small town of Sesser hard. After more than twenty years with the Sesser Fire District, Jim Miller's locker is now empty.

Miller was known to his buddies as "Shib" was killed after being struck by a bus on Interstate 57 near Benton. The Sesser Fire District were finishing work on a roadside truck fire when it happened.

Sesser, Illinois is a very small and close-knit community, with a population of just over two thousand.

On Friday, flags were lowered and black ribbon was put up. Curtis Johnston, Safety Officer for the fire station, says the firefighters are extended family. He had to break the news to Miller's wife and his two young daughters.

Miller's tragic accident was on everyone's mind. It was the topic of conversation in The Debutante Salon.

"Shocking, you can't believe it," said Glenna Roberson, who was getting her hair done.

Roberson attends church with the Miller family She says Sesser is such a small, close-knit town and everyone is hurting.

"Kinda like all family and when something happens, it affects everybody in the community," said Roberson.

While the townspeople grieve for Miller, the firefighters are grieving for Miller too but their jobs never stop. Mental health workers came in this afternoon to help counsel the firefighters.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the James G. Miller Memorial Fund at Sesser Regions Bank, 201 S. Park Street, P.O. Box 429, Sesser, Illinois, 62884. Funeral arrangements are not finalized.

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