HILLIARD, Fla. – The funeral arrangements for a firefighter with the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department, who died after suffering a medical emergency while battling the Old Dixie Highway Fire, were announced Monday.
Firefighter James “Kevin” Crews, who was assigned to Station 4 in Hilliard, was 59 years old when he died on April 23 after suffering a medical emergency while fighting the brush fire, just south of Henry Smith Road in Hilliard.
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𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, FL 32011.
𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at West Church located at 550974 US-1, Hilliard, FL 32046.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Prior to the service, a funeral procession will begin at the Nassau Funeral Home at 8:30 a.m. The route will travel north on US-1, turn left onto CR 108, then proceed left onto Pecan Street, past Fire Station 4, left onto W. 1st Street, and right onto US-1, concluding at West Church.
Community members are encouraged to join in honoring Firefighter Crews by safely lining the procession route. See map.
𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Agency Honor Guard Units and Dignitaries are welcome to attend. To coordinate, please contact Nassau County Fire Rescue (NCFR), Battalion Chief Jeff Dodd at 904-710-2979.
𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
For coordination, please contact Sgt. Brandy Turman at 904-583-0411.
Nassau County Fire and Rescue Chief Brady Rigdon said Crews’ death hit Nassau County fire crews and the Hilliard Fire Department hard.
He was remembered by colleagues as a dedicated public servant, well respected by all firefighters, and loved by his community.
“Our department and our community have lost a hero,” said Hilliard Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry Johnson. “Kevin was the epitome of courage and dedication. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. We are focused on supporting his family and our personnel during this unimaginably difficult time.”