TEMPLE, Ga. — A Carroll County Fire Rescue deputy chief has died after contracting COVID-19, according to a post on social media.
On Aug. 9, the county said Tommy Hopson was "in the battle of his life with this terrible illness."
The Temple Police Department, where he was a long-time resident, announced Monday on Facebook that Hopson's "battle with Covid has come to an end and our Lord God has called him home."
Hopson had been with the fire department since 1990. He was just promoted in November.
The department, in a statement, called "Chief Hop" a "true hometown hero," saying he was "always putting others first and never afraid to step up and do whatever necessary to get the job done and keep others safe."
Chief Tim Padgett said Hopson made an impact in the community he served for 31 years.
"His loss will be felt for a long time to come as he was such an integral part of the day-to-day operations," Padgett said. "My heart breaks for his family as they learn to navigate life without him and I ask for the community Tommy loved so much to continue to pray for the Hopson family, as well as his Carroll County Fire Rescue family as they will need strength to make it through these next few days, as we prepare to lay him to rest."
Across the metro two other fire departments are mourning losses. A firefighter and U.S. Army veteran also died from complications due to COVID-19. Barrow County firefighter and EMT Tim Watson died Sunday, the department announced. In Hall County, a former Marine, FAO Shaun Stringer, died. The cause of his death is unknown.
"Heaven gained a legend last night, and we in return gained a guardian angel," the department said about Hopson.