Samuel Smith is one of those guys that we call a lifer, In the Fire Service there are individuals who join the fire service young and stay in till they retire or pass away. Sam was no exception to this, Sam served across the country in various departments from the Fire Department of Liberty City to with us at the Los Santos Fire Department.
He was a highly decorated firefighter, earning multiple commendations. Sam joined the fire service at 21 with the Fire Department of Liberty City being one of the youngest firefighters ever to join the department, Its more heart-warming to know that I Jay Dauntless, the one who is writing this trained young Sam Smith all those years ago, and he has made me proud to see him get to where he has during his long career.
Sam very quickly climbed the ranks of the FDLC gaining many postings across the department, noticeable ones being: Lieutenant at Station 95 Northwood, Captain at Station 18 in Star Junction, Battalion Chief for Battalion 2 Algonquin and lastly Assistant Chief of Fire Operations FDLC.
After the government shutdown and rioting in most of Liberty City he moved to Los Santos, like many others in the department, myself included. He was offered Chief of Department for the Los Santos Fire Department. He graciously accepted. During his time he got married to the late Deputy Chief Aurora Cummins, Lead the department into a new generation, trained countless individuals and Helped the department become what it is today.
On April 20th 1995, during a routine patrol in Air 4, a helicopter operated by our department. Experienced a bird strike, a bird was sucked into the air manifold, shredding the inner mechanism of the turbine that keeps the aircraft in the air and also provided power to the aircraft. Experiencing total electrical power loss and a failing turbine, the helicopter plummeted to the ground. Sadly making lifesaving treatment non viable. He was virtually killed on impact.
Now, as much as this pains me, and I'm sure others as well. Sir, Sam, our dear friend and boss. Rest easy, I hope you find Aurora and spend eternity together, we will keep up the charge, we will keep up the courage to go on without you. Rest easy my friend, For your watch... Has ended!